Sudan: Prisoner dies in escape attempt during Covid-19 selective release

The selective release of some Sudanese prisoners in line with the decision of the Ministry of Justice as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) has met with some challenges across the country. An inmate was killed, and 11 others injured attempting to escape from a Darfur prison.

In a press statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Interior confirmed that during the process of releasing a number of prisoners on to release In Shala Prison in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur a prisoner was killed, and 11 other inmates were wounded while they were trying to escape.

Around 1 PM, some inmates who were not included in the release started protesting and tried to forcibly prevent it.

The prison administration intervened and tried to contain the situation peacefully, but the angry inmate did not comply, and some tried to climb the fence to escape. “The security guards used proportionate force to control the situation, and as a result, one inmate died and 11 were injured,” the statement said.

In the statement, they explained that the situation in the prison has been contained and has returned to normal and that the legal process to release the prisoners as specified in the decision will continue as usual.

Omdurman

On Thursday, the authorities released 263 inmates from El Hoda prison north-west of Omdurman and 131 women from Women’s Prison in central Omdurman.

Sudan’s Sovereign Council Member Aisha Mousa and Attorney General Tajelsir El Hibir authorised the release some prisoners as a precautionary measure to limit the pandemic.

Port Sudan

Port Sudan prison saw a protest action by prisoners not included in the coronavirus release programme. They demand immediate release as Covid-19 cases increased in the country.

However, the administration of the Federal Prisons of Sudan confirmed that the release of the inmates is based on specific legal standards and does not include every inmate.

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