Sudanese activist freed by judge but re-arrested by security

August 13, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese activist Rudwan Dawood who has been in jail since July pending trial on terrorism-related charges was ordered free by a judge on Monday only to be re-arrested by security forces, his associates said.

The judge Abbas Al-Khalifa who presided over the trial held at Al-Haj Youssef complex of courts ruled that the time Dawood already spent behind bars since his arrest in July following an anti-government protest in which he took part was “sufficient”, ordering his release on the condition of paying a fine of 500 Sudanese pounds (100 US dollars).

Dawood was standing trial with another activist, Ahmad Kawarti, also arrested in connection with the protest, on counts of establishing a terrorist organization and planning to overthrow the regime by force, a charge punishable by execution. The judge also cleared Kawarti of all the charges against him.

However, when Dawood was taken to a nearby police station to finalize procedures of his release, a force from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrived at the scene and re-arrested the activist who is a member of both the anti-government youth group Girifina and the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCP).

The re-arrest sparked an outcry among activist groups and associates. His party, the SCP, issued a statement condemning the re-arrest saying it reflects the extent of vulnerability and fear of the regime.

Sudanese authorities arrested hundreds of activists during a wave of Arab Spring-style protests that erupted in the country following the government’s decision to implement austerity measures that removed fuel subsidies.

(ST)