Detained journalist transferred to hospital in North Darfur
February 26, 2016 (EL-FASHER) – The health condition of the detained journalist Ibrahim Bagal Siraj has deteriorated following his transfer to the capital of North Darfur state, El-Fasher.
The DJA called upon the authorities to either release Siraj or bring him to a fair trial that gives him the right to defend himself.
It is noteworthy that there are no prosecution offices of information, press and publication crimes in the Sudanese states except Khartoum.
Siraj’s family told Sudan Tribune that his health situation is in danger, saying he was taken to the hospital in El-Fashir on Thursday night under heavy guard after he suffered from a diabetic attack.
They added that Siraj, who has been in detention in El-Fashir since 9 February, was kept in a special room for treatment and follow up.
A family member told Sudan Tribune that Siraj refused to talk to the prosecutors in El-Fahsir under the pretext that they have no jurisdiction over information and publishing cases, saying he is a journalist and mustn’t be interrogated by a non competent prosecution office.
Siraj’s family has held the government of North Darfur responsible for any harm that could be inflicted upon their son as a result of what they described as the arbitrary detention.
A second family member told Sudan Tribune on the condition of anonymity that Siraj has recently written several articles criticizing the governor of North Darfur state Abdel-Wahid Youssef, saying that was likely the reason behind his detention.
Mohamed Abdel-Gadir, the freedoms official at the pro-government General Union of Sudanese Journalists (GUSJ) has earlier said that they made intensive contacts with the government of North Darfur state to clarify the reasons behind Siraj’s detention, calling for his release or bringing him to trial and preserve his entire legal rights.
Abel-Gadir pointed out that they were informed by the North Darfur officials the Siraj has been detained for criminal not publishing charges, saying he is currently under protective custody in accordance with those charges.
(ST)