Sudanese security detains three journalists upon return from Kampala

July 25, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s Journalists’ Association for Human Rights (JAHR) said the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) has detained three journalists at dawn on Friday upon their return from the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

JAHR said in a statement Saturday three journalists including Hussein Saad who works for al-Ayam newspaper, Shamayl al-Nour of al-Tayyar newspaper and blogger Tariq Muhaisi were detained at Khartoum airport at around 2:00 am. (local time) on Friday.

According to the statement, the three journalists were returning from Kampala following their participation in a forum on transparency and corruption.

“They have been detained by the NISS officers after completing the entry procedures and were taken to the political security headquarters in Khartoum North,” the statement reads.

It pointed out the three journalists were interrogated separately, saying they were questioned about the nature, objectives and organizers of the forum besides other personal questions about their professional career.

Also they have been asked about some journalists active in the domain of human rights and freedom of expression including the general coordinator of JAHR.

The statement added that NISS seized the journalists’ personal belongings, mobile phones and travel documents before they returned them later.

According to Jahr, al-Nour suffered from physical and psychological fatigue due to long interrogation and was transferred to the NISS hospital (Al-Amal) in Khartoum North and then returned to the NISS office.

The statement said that al-Nour and Muhaisi were released at around 8:00 pm (local time) on Friday while Saad was released at around 1:30 am (local time) on Saturday, pointing they have been asked to report to the NISS office on Sunday morning for further interrogation.

JAHR expressed solidarity with the detainees underscoring their right to freedom of movement and travel and unconditional participation in the political, professional and social activities.

NISS enjoys wide-ranging powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure under the country’s 2010 National Security Act.

(ST)