HUDO Centre
27th August 2016
Update (1) On COURT TRIAL OF NISS/SUDAN AGAINST PASTORS AND ACTIVIST
On 21st August 2016, the court hearing was before Justice Dr. Osama Mohamed
Abdalla. The court session was conducted under very tight security whereby the
activist and supporters were prevented from attending. The
investigator/prosecutor read the details of the charges preferred against the
defendants/accused. At the end of the session, the judge announced 29th August
2016 the coming court session for cross-examination of the investigator by the
complaint. Background of the case On 18th August 2016, National Intelligence
and Security Services (NISS) arrested a group of Christian leaders and pastors
who were released on different dates except the defendants. They were arrested
because of attending the Sudanese and South Sudanese Christian conference that
was held in Addis Ababa/ Ethiopia between 17th – 23rd October 2015. On 18th May
2018, NISS opened a case (No. 41/2016) and transferred the detainees to State
Security Prosecution (SSP) office. The accused remained at SSP custody up to
4th August 2016 when the case was referred to the court. Thereafter, they were
transferred to Omdurman prison and days later to Alhuda prison at Omdurman
town. The court hearing was scheduled for 14th August 2016 but it was later
postponed because the defendants were not brought from the prison to the court.
The 21st August 2016 court hearing was the first session in this trial. Summary
of the court session The judge (Dr. Osama Mohamed Abdalla) started the session
at Khartoum Centre Court; in attendance was the investigating Counsel
(Abdurrahman Ahmed Abdurrahman), complainant, the defendants and their lawyers’
committee which consists of twenty five (25) volunteer lawyers. The
Accused/Defendants in their order;
1. Mr. Peter Justin (non-Sudanese).
2. Pastor, Hassan pastors Hassan Abduelraheem Kodi.
3. Pastor, Kuwa Shamal Abu Zumam
4. Activist, Abduelmoneim Abdalmwlla
HUDO Centre
The counsel/Abdurrahman read the list of charges under the following articles;
A. Articles: 21, 50, 51, 53, 57, 64 and 66 of Sudan Criminal Penal 1991.
B. Article: 30/1 of Nationality Act.
C. Article 23 of regulation of humanitarian and voluntary work.
According to the investigator, the above articles were interpreted as follows;
1) The four defendants carried out intelligence activities against Sudan and
gave fiscal support to Sudan People Liberation Army – North (SPLA-N) in South
Kordufan.
2) They are preparing allegations about genocide, extrajudicial killings,
civilian displacement and burning villages by Sudan government.
3) They are preparing allegations about demolition of churches, oppressing
Christians and torture by Sudan government.
4) The first defendant arrived in Sudan purposely to take photos of the
demolished churches.
The defendants denied all the charges and then after the judge adjourned the
court to 29th August 2016.
Notes;
· The representatives of AU
and USA embassy attended the session.
· The police at the court
only allowed defendants’ close relatives to attend.
· The activists and
defendants’ supporters were not allowed in the court yard.
Recommendations/ Appeal
Ensure that the international standard of justice is
followed;
§ HUDO urges the Sudan
court to allow the public to attend.
§ HUDO urges the EU, USA
and other embassies to continue attending.
§ HUDO urges the activists
and defendants’ supporters to keep on of trying attend the trial.
End For any further information please write to hudo2009@gmail.com