Sudanese government files case against two US Congressmen over terror claims

KHARTOUM, Feb 15, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — The Sudanese government has filed an urgent legal case against two members of the US Congress for allegedly linking 12 Sudanese government officials of supporting terrorism, the independent Akhbar al-Youm said today.

The minister of justice, Muhammad Osman Yassin, said that his ministry has contacted an American lawyer to urgently file a case against two members of the US Congress over their alleged degrading and false accusation against the officials.

Yassin said his government has confirmed that the allegations were made outside the Congress and that they did not enjoy any legal immunity. He added that the allegations were considered to be a great harm to the country and its leaders.

The minister further said that his ministry will give this matter a big consideration, and will follow up the case against the two Congress members.

Congressmen Donald M. Payne and Thomas Tancredo, in a letter addressed 5 February to US President Bush, requested to investigate the direct or indirect involvement of Sudanese government officials in support of terrorism and terror groups over the past decade.

Sudan Foreign minister, Mustafa Osman Ismail, accused the two members of the US Congress of “being hostile to Sudan and try to torpedo the peace process”.