Ailing El Sheikh returned to West Kordofan

Security authorities transferred the chairman of the Sudanese Congress Party (SCP), Ibrahim El Sheikh, from a hospital in Khartoum to El Fula prison in West Kordofan on Wednesday. On Sunday, El Sheikh was transferred from En Nahud prison in West Kordofan to the Interior Ministry’s El Sahiroon Hospital in Khartoum in a dire health. He was supposed to undergo a surgical operation, but was suddenly deported to El Fula on Wednesday. Apology The spokesman for the SCP, Bakri Yousif, told Radio Dabanga from Khartoum that the management of the hospital had exercised pressure on El Sheikh’s family and the Party to convince the SCP chairman to write an apology for his condemnation of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, so as to conduct the operation. On their rejection to do so, the medical director of El Sahiroon Hospital stated that the simple operation could be done in any clinic in the country. “Early on Wednesday morning, security officers in a tinted Land Cruiser entered El Sahiroon Hospital and kind of abducted Ibrahim Sheikh”, Yousif reported. “We did not know where they would take him, and were surprised to hear later on the day that he had been transferred to El Fula’s Police Hospital.” The SCP holds the Sudanese government responsible for the deterioration of El Sheikh’s health. Yousif stressed that the Party will not stand idle, and “will use all options” to release its chairman. Trial The head of El Sheikh’s defence team, Sati El Haj, also expressed deep concern about the party leader’s health situation following his deportation. “Without treatment his life may be in danger.” El Haj holds the Minister of Justice, Mohamed Bishara Dosa, responsible for the procrastination of the court case since 12 June. The prosecutor for the Security Service announced to the press on Wednesday that El Sheikh will be put on trial with days. Chaos The National Umma Party (NUP) on Wednesday reiterated its demands for the release of El Sheikh. Sara Nugdalla, NUP Secretary-General, described what happened to El Sheikh, “being suddenly taken from the hospital in a civilian vehicle, to an -at the time- unknown destination” as “just chaos”. She demanded that either he should be released, or taken to a fair trial.  File photo: People protesting in front of En Nahud court to protest against Ibrahim El Sheikh’s court hearing on 12 June 2014 (Radio Dabanga) Related:Sudan opposition leader rejects Police medics (13 August 2014) Sudanese Congress Party leader moved to Khartoum hospital (12 August 2014) West Kordofan: Detained party leader’s health deteriorating (14 July 2014) Protests against Sudanese Congress Party head’s detention (12 June 2014)