Sudanese security refuses to release two opposition figures

May 5, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s security service did not release two figures of the opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) detained since December after their return from a visit to Juba, South Sudan.

PCP deputy secretary general, Ibrahim Al-Sanosi and another leading member Ali Shamar were detained last December at the Khartoum airport after holding a series of meeting with the South Sudanese officials and rebel groups in Juba and Nairobi.

The Islamist opposition party who is accused of close links with the rebel Justice and Equality Movement is suspected of coordinating with the rebel groups to topple the Sudanese regime. The PCP leadership contributed to bring Bashir to power 1989 before to split in 1999.

Justice and freedoms officer of the opposition party Hassan Abdallah Al-Hussein stated on Saturday that the families of Sanosi and Shamar asked the security service about their probable release, but the authorities told them there is no new development to free them.

Last week ,Hussein said the party was preparing to celebrate the release of the two political detainees stressing that the legal period of detention (135 days) provided in the National Intelligence and Security law would expire on Saturday.

The opposition official said today that his party will take the necessary legal measures to deal with these new developments within the week.

(ST)