Prosecutor cross-examined in Sudan case against pastors

During the tenth court session against three pastors and a Darfuri convert in Khartoum on Monday 7 November, the lawyers of the defendants cross examined the investigator for the prosecution about the charges.

Rev. Petr Jasek from Czechia, Nuba pastors Kuwa Shemaal and Hassan Abdelrahim Kodi from South Kordofan, and Darfuri layman Abdelmunim Abdelmoula were detained by security agents in Khartoum in late 2015 and early this year. They have been charged of a number of violations, amongst which conspiring against the state and espionage. Several of the charges are punishable by death or life imprisonment.

During the former hearing, “investigator Abdelrahman” said that the Czech pastor, during his visit to South Kordofan in 2012, gave money to “some individuals”, among them rebel fighters. This is regarded as support for the war against the state. As Rev. Jasek is cooperating with international Christian organisations, he is charged with “tarnishing Sudan’s image internationally” as well.

Pastors Shemaal and Kodi attended a conference in Addis Ababa in 2015, during which they alleged that the Sudanese government oppresses Christians. This is considered to be inciting hatred against state and within Muslim and Christian communities.

Darfuri convert Abdelmunim Abdelmoula is accused of supporting the three pastors in their “subversive activities”.

In its report on the court session, the Human Rights and Development Organisation (HUDO) Centre lists the questions put forward by the lawyers (see the attached report below).

In his replies to the questions by the lawyers, the investigator had to admit several times that the charges were not based on a thorough investigation. Asked if the objectives of the Christian organisations Rev. Jasek was said to be cooperating with, are related to war or provoking hatred, the investigator denied that he had read the objectives.

As for the Sudanese pastors’ case, their lawyer asked if the investigator had questioned the seven other Nuba pastors who attended the Addis Ababa conference on Christianity in Sudan. He had not questioned them.

HUDO further notes that “other investigators” intervened more than once in the hearing, “which forced the judge to warn them”. Furthermore, the answers given by the “prosecutor/investigator” during the session, contradicted with “what he had presented before”. Judge Osama Abdallah “asked him to concentrate”.

In the next session, scheduled for 14 November, the prosecution will be given the opportunity to question the defendants’ lawyers.