Sudan promises “fair and public trial” for al-Turabi

KHARTOUM, April 6, 2004 (dpa) — Sudanese Justice Minister Ali Mohammed Yassin has promised a “fair and public” trial for Islamic opposition leader Hassan al-Turabi, arrested last week for his alleged involvement in a coup attempt, local media reports said Tuesday.

Yassin said his ministry had established a 12-member committee to investigate the charges against al-Turabi.

Al-Turabi was arrested last Wednesday on charges of “incitement to sedition, hatred of the state, sabotage and undermining of the regime.”

At least ten others – both opposition politicians and military officials – were also detained by authorities, reported the BBC.

“All suspects, including al-Turabi, will be presented to a court after the committee finishes its investigation and presents it to the General Prosecutor,” Yassin is reported to have said.

“A ministry will then present it to an open court which will be attended by the media,” the minister added.

Al-Turabi had denied allegations he planned a coup and his wife had accused the government of making up the charges to silence her husband.

The prominent Islamic leader was freed by authorities in October 2003 after spending nearly three years under house arrest. He is a former ally of Sudanese President Omar Beshir, who seized power in a 1989 military coup.