Detentions continue in wake of Sudan coup

Dozens of people, including lawyers, politicians, government officials and professionals have been arbitrarily detained, and some allegedly tortured, and an ongoing campaign against revolutionaries across Sudan by army and militia forces since the military coup seized power on October 25.

The number of detainees in Darfur has increased rapidly. In Nyala, capital of South Darfur, Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur, and ED Daein, capital of East Darfur, at least 47 people, including lawyers, professionals, government officials, and politicians are in detention.

Sources reported that the 13 detainees in El Daein were sentenced to three months in prison, according to the emergency measures announced by coup leader Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan on seizing power.

The Sudanese Human Rights and Development Organisation (HUDO) reported a detention campaign carried out by the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces in Ed Damazin and neighbouring El Roseires in Blue Nile state since October 25.

HUDO said in a statement on Monday that the forces abused and tortured the detainees before releasing them. Others appeared before a court on Tuesday.

Mohanad Babiker, member of the Empowerment Removal Committee of Blue Nile state, and five university students were held at Ed Damazin market on October 25, in addition to arbitrary detentions of more than 15 young people, including minors, the latest HUDO statement says.

In Wad Madani, the authorities detained a number of deans and lecturers of the University of El Gezira on Tuesday. The Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Mohamed Ayes, was held a week ago.

In River Nile state, seven members of resistance committees active in the neighbourhoods of Ed Damer were detained.