Sudan’s opposition leader transferred to prison hours before trial

February 22, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s detained opposition leader, Farouk Abu Issa, has been transferred from hospital to Kober prison, hours before the start of his trial on Monday.

Abu Issa who chairs the opposition National Consensus Forces (NCF) and Amin Mekki Medani who heads the alliance of the Sudanese Civil Society Organisations have been detained since December after being signatories to the “Sudan Call” accord with the rebel umbrella Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) and the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) in Addis Ababa.

Earlier this month, Abu Issa was rushed to the hospital for the second time due to sharp drop in blood pressure.

The 81-year-old lawyer also suffers from cardiac arrhythmia in addition to other health problems which requires him being brought under special medical care.

Sudan Tribune has learnt that Abu Issa was transferred again to Kober prison in Khartoum North on Sunday afternoon for some unknown reason.

Sudan’s justice minister, Mohamed Bushara Dousa, had earlier refused to dismiss charges filed against Abu Issa and Mandi and referred their case to the relevant court.

On 17 February, Sudan’s office of the prosecutor of crimes against the state transferred Abu Issa and Madani’s case to a special terrorism court.

The first trial session will convene on Monday morning amid calls by opposition to its supporters to rally in front of the courthouse.

Several charges have been filed against Abu Essa and Madani including undermining the constitutional system and waging war against the state, crimes punishable by death.

The defence team consisting of more than fifty lawyers and headed by Omer Abdel-Atti will meet with Abu Issa and Madani ahead of the first trial session.

The courthouse is expected to see tightened security procedures particularly after the opposition’s call for its affiliates to attend the session in support of the detainees.

(ST)