Austrian tourist arrested in Port Sudan on espionage allegations

January 6, 2008 (PORT SUDAN) — Sudanese authorities have arrested an Austrian tourist in the coastal city of Port Sudan and accused him of spying because he has in possession of some internet articles about the Beja Congress Party, Sudan Tribune has learned.

Thomas Hirschvogel, an Austrian tourist was arrested on December 31 by the Sudanese security services while traveling to visit the Red Sea hills from Port Sudan. Hirschvogel was initially charged with violating immigration laws because he did not obtain a travel permit prior to visiting the hills.

However the charge was upgraded to spying when Sudan’s security services discovered articles about the Beja Congress party in his bag. They also found out that Hirschvogel met with Beja Congress officials in the region.

The Beja Congress party signed a peace deal with the Sudanese government and joined the cabinet last year. However a Port Sudan based dissident faction rejected the deal and Khartoum remains suspicious of their political activities.

Hirschvogel, who worked for an organization assisting illegal foreigners in Austria, is confined to his Saffa hotel room and is under close security surveillance. He was also not allowed to contact his family.

It is not clear if the Austrian consulate in Khartoum is aware of Hirschvogel’s situation.

The 20 years old Austrian is on a one year tour to Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Oman, Iran, and Turkey.

(ST)