Sudan’s Bashir skips ex-spy chief again in new amnesty decree

June 12, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir today issued a decree granting amnesty to five individuals accused of taking part in a coup attempt thwarted last year by Khartoum.

Among the five are the mayor of Kosti Retired Colonel Abdel-Moula Moussa Mohamed, Al-Jazeera cameraman Youssef Ibrahim Sid Ahmed, Mustafa Nur al-Dayem al-Naeem, Khalid Mohamed Mustafa and al-Jazeera producer Ali Mustafa Mohamed al-Haj.

Bashir twice issued decrees over the last two months pardoning and commuting sentences for army and security officers convicted in connection with the coup.

However, the Sudanese president excluded his former adviser and ex-director of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh who remains in jail without charges.

Sources with knowledge of the ongoing investigation into the recent coup attempt have told Sudan Tribune that Gosh and the four security officers detained with him refused to demand the presidential pardon as it was done by the military.

The Sudanese justice ministry is still trying to gather evidence to charge Gosh and a court have given prosecutors several extensions to prepare for his trial.

(ST)