Sudanese security forces political detainee to undergo eye surgery: family

March 17, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Family of the detained politician and former member of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), Farah Agar, said authorities forced him to undergo an eye surgery without their consent.

Last February, Agar’s family expressed concern over his health condition, saying his eyes have been affected by the continuous lighting at Kober prison in Khartoum north.

Last December, Agar and his office manager, Mohamed Eldoud were arrested along with opposition leader Farouk Abu Issa, and the prominent rights activist, Amin Maki Madani, following their return from Addis Ababa after signing the “Sudan Call” accord with rebel groups.

Agar’s family said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday they learnt during a visit on Friday that authorities attempted to force him to undergo an eye surgery at the Al-Amal hospital which belongs to the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) without their knowledge.

The statement underscored that Agar was put under anaesthesia without making preliminary tests, saying the surgeon refused to perform the delicate operation without making the necessary medical investigations.

Agar’s family had earlier said he refused to undergo the surgery at the hands of a medical team which belongs to NISS, pointing he asked authorities to call up any of the ophthalmologists whom he trusts but his request had been denied.

The statement stressed that Agar’s both eyes suffer from night blindness, pointing he was night-blind in one eye before he was arrested 105 days ago.

It pointed out that NISS had initially refused to conduct the surgery, saying they offered to perform the operation at their own expense on 8 February but received no response from NISS.

The family added that NISS told them the operation will be conducted at Mecca hospital on 25 February and they will be informed to attend it, saying this has never happened.

(ST)