Sudan justice minister to soon review appeal of Gosh’s lawyers

June 23, 2013, (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s attorney general Omar Ahmed Mohammed has confirmed today that the minister of justice had received the appeal submitted by the defense team of the former director of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh on charges filed against him in connection with a coup attempt thwarted last year.

After more than six months in detention, the ex-spy chief was formally charged this month with undermining the constitutional order, inciting violence to topple the legitimate government and breaching the anti-terrorism law.

A pre-trial court session decided to confirm the charges following the conclusion of the preliminary investigation conducted by a committee from the justice ministry.

Gosh’s charges falls under articles 21, 50, 63 of the criminal penal act which are punishable by death or life imprisonment or imprisonment and fines with the possibility of confiscation of property as well as articles 5, 6 of the anti-terrorism act.

The attorney general said in an interview with the state news agency SUNA that the minister of justice will decide on the appeal upon his return from a business trip to Saudi Arabia.

He further pointed out that the justice minister could either accept the appeal or refer the case to the court and noted that the president of the republic has the power to pardon him.

President 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 NISS.

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.

Gosh’s arrest marked the downfall of the once powerful spy chief who is better known for his deep cooperation with the United States on counter-terrorism following September 2001 attacks in Washington and New York.

He was surprisingly dismissed from his position in 2009 before being appointed as a presidential adviser for security.

In 2011 he was abruptly sacked by president Bashir from the position following an imbroglio between him and the powerful presidential assistant Nafie Ali Nafie over dialogue with opposition parties. He was later stripped of his position within the NCP and only maintained his seat in the Sudanese parliament.

The Sudanese parliament revoked Gosh’s parliamentary immunity to allow for his prosecution.

(ST)