Sudanese authorities arrest official in youth movement at airport

October 26, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Security authorities at Khartoum airport arrested an activist who is also the deputy general coordinator of Sudan’s Tamarud (rebellion) campaign, Mohamed Hashim, in the middle of this month and seized his passport upon his return from Cairo to spend Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) holiday with his family.

Hashim was interrogated and questioned about his role in Tamarud, his Facebook posts critical of the government and his links with the rebel Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF). Afterwards, he was transferred to the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) headquarters for further questioning.

Law expert and exiled opposition leader, Ali Mahmoud Hassanein, said that Hashim’s arrest is part of an intimidation campaign against youths and students particularly those who are active in social media against the government.

Hassanein added that this incident proves that the regime deliberately violates human rights, pointing that activists are continuously subjected to harassment and have become a target for detention and intimidation by security forces.

Tamarud general coordinator, Ammar Jubara, for his part, condemned Hashim’s detention and interrogation, stressing his constitutional right to move freely without being subjected to harassment and psychological abuse.

Jubara called authorities for his immediate release and to stop harassing activists while they are leaving the country or upon their arrival from abroad.

Tamarud is an anti-government youth group similar to Egypt’s grassroots protest movement which has been credited with the nationwide protests that toppled the ex-president Mohammed Morsi, a year after he took office.

(ST)