Sudan investigating intercepted Russian helicopter

KHARTOUM, July 27 (AFP) — Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail said Sunday that authorities were holding a Russian Mi-26 helicopter which was ordered to land on Sudanese territory after its itinerary triggered suspicions here.

“There are suspicions on the course of its flight and on the procedures followed for its flight over the Sudan,” Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail told reporters here.

Earlier, Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency said that the massive helicopter and its 13-member crew, which were captured Thursday, were heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo on a UN mission.

Ismail said foreign ministry officials and members of the army command were investigating the matter and would submit a report to authorities within 24 hours.

On Saturday, Sudan’s Media Center, an independent agency, said the helicopter had been sent on Friday from the western city of Al-Fasher, capital of Northern Darfur state, to Khartoum so that the crew could face questioning.

It said authorities suspected the helicopter was transporting arms for the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), rebels from Sudan’s Darfur region who since February have clashed with government troops.

According to the agency, the crew is composed of eight individuals as well as an unspecified number of Bangladeshi troops.