Sudanese appeal court overturns death sentence for police officer

January 15, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – An appeals court judge on Thursday overturned the death sentence against a lieutenant in the Sudanese police convicted of killing a woman in a Khartoum suburb more than two years ago and commuted it to a five year prison term.

The victim Awadia Agabna was shot dead in front of her house by a member of the Public Order Police (POP) named Hamid Ali Hamid during an altercation between them and her brother after they accused him of being drunk and attempted to gain entry into his house.

However, residents of the neighborhood gathered forcing the POP patrol to retreat and return later with enforcement after which the fatal incident occurred and Agabna received a bullet to her head.

The police issued a widely criticized statement saying they were attacked by “drunk” members of the victim’s family and had to fire “three shots in the air” to defend themselves.

But the residents of the neighborhood asserted that the patrol leader fired shots at them deliberately causing injuries to others as well.

Agabna’s killing sparked protests and condemnation from human right groups who criticized the POP and its law, which aims to regulate the behavior of men and women in accordance with Islamic laws.

At the time Sudanese interior minister apologized verbally to Agabna’s family while Khartoum governor slammed the police statement saying it was “unjustified”.

Both officials listened to testimony by Agabna’s uncle, Ibrahim Nayil Edam, who is a known pro-government figure.

Edam called the police statement a “fabrication” and called for justice.

Last October a court condemned the police officer to death over Agabna’s death and handed jail terms to seven members of the patrol.

The defense appealed the verdict which resulted in a far lesser term of five years jail sentence and payment of blood money to Agabna’s family.

The appeals court also canceled the jail sentence against the seven other defendants.

(ST)