Sudan’s coup attempt detainees won’t be released, PCP leader predicts

April 2, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The leader of the opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP) Hassan al-Turabi, has said he expects that authorities won’t release those charged in connection with the alleged coup attempt and that government rushed their prosecution in order to preclude any release attempts.

Sudanese authorities announced last November that they had arrested 13 suspects, including ex-spy chief Salah Gosh and Brigadier General Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel-Galil from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on suspicion of standing behind a “subversive attempt”.

The trial of military personnel accused of involvement in the thwarted plot to overthrow the government began last month amid intense secrecy.

But the independent MP, Mohammed Sideeg Duroosa, contrasted Turabi’s assertions saying that the coup detainees should soon be set free attributing delay in their release to procedures and arrangements, saying that the presidential pardon included all detainees without exception; otherwise it would be “April Fool”.

Turabi who was accompanied by leaders of the opposition alliance during a visit to the detainees who were released yesterday per presidential orders said in press statements that not all those held for political reasons were freed demanding release of detainees from Blue Nile, Southern Kordofan and Darfur.

Last January a number of opposition parties and rebel groups signed the “New Dawn” charter in Uganda, agreeing on the goal of changing the regime. Seven of the signatories were detained upon their return from Uganda.

The Sudanese president announced in a speech delivered yesterday at the opening session of parliament that he has ordered all political reasons though it is not yet clear who exactly stands to benefit from this amnesty.

Another leading figure of the opposition alliance, Bushara Gumaa, demanded the release of all detainees, especially those who were arrested on issues related to conflicts in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur, expressing his concern for not including them in the presidential pardon.

Late on Monday authorities released half a dozen of those figures who took part in the “New Dawn” signing.

In a related issue a leading member of the opposition alliance, Abbas Fathi Nuri, said that opposition does not trust government calls for dialogue, calling on the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to show seriousness by allowing more freedoms and creating the climate for a genuine dialogue.

(ST)