Sudanese lawyers hold sit-in to protest detention of opposition leaders
December 22, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese lawyers organised a sit-in on Monday to protest the arrest of opposition National Consensus Forces (NCF) leader Farouk Abu Issa and human rights defender Amin Mekki Madani, who are both lawyers.
Reports from Khartoum say the security services transferred the two lawyers to Kober Prison. A dissident member of the ruling National Congress Party, Farah Agar, is also detained since the 7 December for meeting the rebel groups in Addis Ababa.
The three are now accused of subversive activities and use of violence to overthrow the government, charges which carries the death penalty.
The anti-riot police attempted without success to disperse the sit-in which gathered about 80 lawyers and the families of the detainees.
Three lawyers were shortly arrested after a quarrel with the policemen but they released later.
A second meeting of solidarity with the three detainees will be organised at the premises of the Sudanese Congress Party on Tuesday. Last week a first meeting was held at the headquarters of the opposition National Umma Party.
The European Union Parliament called on Thursday for the release of the three detainees.
Sudanese government prohibits contact with the rebel groups which fights against its troops in the Blue Nile, South Kordofan states and Darfur region.
On 3 December, the opposition parties and rebel groups signed an agreement calling for an inclusive process to discuss constitutional reforms in Sudan with participation of rebel groups and the need for confidence building measures before.
(ST)