Lawyers of Sudan’s opposition leaders criticise court decision to extend their detention
February 3, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The defence team of Sudan’s detained opposition leader, Farouq Abu-Essa and prominent human rights activist Amin Mekki Medani blasted the court’s decision to extend their detention for another two weeks.
On Monday, a criminal court in Khartoum ordered that the detention of the pair be extended saying the decision was based on a request made by the prosecution that they want to bring other defendants who are not physically present in the country.
The head of the defence team Omer Abdel-Aati, at a press conference on Tuesday, fiercely attacked the Ministry of Justice, accusing it of carrying out specific directives it receives from other bodies.
He said the hands of the Ministry of Justice are tied and that it is incapable of making decisions in such issues, accusing some political parties which he did not specify of having vested interest in keeping his clients in jail.
Abdel-Aati also said the defence team will meet with the envoys of the European Union (EU) in Khartoum on Wednesday to discuss arrangements and means to release the detainees.
He pointed that several charges have been filed against Abu Issa and Madani including undermining the constitutional system, a crime punishable by death, saying the case has been politicised and is no longer a criminal issue.
The head of the defence team considered the court’s order to extend detention of his clients a move aimed at humiliating and warning the opposition forces against carrying out political activities.
He said the signing of the “Sudan Call” charter does not constitute a crime particularly as it did not provide for overthrowing the regime by force.
He accused the Sudanese Bar Association of playing a negative role in his client’s case, saying it implements policies of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP).
Abdel-Aati pointed that the law allows the court to proceed with the trial of defendants appearing before it while delaying trial of the absent defendants until they return to the country.
On Sunday, Sudan’s justice minister, Mohamed Bushara Dousa, refused to dismiss charges filed against Abu-Essa and Medani and referred their case to court.
The “Sudan Call” is the first political declaration signed by all the opposition parties, rebel and civil society groups calling for the end of war, dismantlement of the one-party state, achievement of a comprehensive peace and democratic transition in the country.
The Sudanese president accused signatories of the “Sudan Call” of being agents to foreign powers and warned them from returning to the country.
(ST)