Sudan investigates 33 over anti-government plot

August 10, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese security forces have handed 33 suspects accused of trying to overthrow the government to the justice ministry for investigation, state news agency the Sudanese Media Centre said on Friday.

Security forces last month arrested former army officers as well as members of two leading opposition political parties, accusing them of trying to overthrow the government and create chaos in the capital.

SMC said national security had investigated 44 people and freed 11 of them.

Party officials said that none of the opposition politicans arrested, including Mubarak al-Fadil, head of the opposition Umma breakaway party, had been released.

The justice ministry was not immediately available to comment. The ministry will investigate the evidence brought by national security and decide whether to send the suspects to trial or release them.

Sima Samar, the U.N. special rapporteur for human rights in Sudan, said last week she was concerned at the arrests of opposition politicians and urged more transparency from the government in the affair.

(Reuters)