Two die after Port Sudan flogging, police contain riots in Kassala

Two detained men have died after being flogged at a police station in Port Sudan on Sunday. Kassala State police announced that it contained riots in the western part of Kassala locality on Sunday evening. Speaking to Radio Dabanga from Port Sudan, an activist reported that Hussein Hadab (45) and Khamis Kuku (35) had been sentenced to a number of lashes for public drunkenness. The sentence was carried out on Sunday at the police station of the Deim Mayo district in Port Sudan. “Hussein Hadab was held in custody for four days in Port Sudan prison on charges of public drunkenness. He was sentenced to 40 lashes. He was transferred to the Deim Mayo police station where he died during the execution of the sentence.” The source indicated that the inmates of Port Sudan prison and detainees in the police stations are severely suffering from an entire lack of services. Concerning the circumstances of the death of Khamis Kuku, he said that he was also arrested on charges of drunkenness. Kuku was held in custody in Deim Mayo police station. “The flogging caused severe bleedings to Kuku. After the sentence was completed, he was transferred to Port Sudan prison, but the prison management refused to accept him. He was taken to a hospital where he died.” The activist said that Kuku’s body was still at the mortuary on Monday. “They are waiting for the conclusions of the forensic doctor. The Red Sea State police have not issued any comments so far.” Riots The Kassala State police announced that its forces were able to contain riots in the area of El Hafa’ir, located some 30 km west of Kassala town, and to reopen the highway between Kassala town and Port Sudan. Angry citizens had blocked the Khartoum-Kassala-Port Sudan road with burning tires from 1 pm until 6 pm on Sunday, protesting against the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities. They also accuse the authorities of unfair competition, by refusing to issue trade permits and other documents required for their economic activities. Port Sudan witnessed various demonstrations in May this year, against the policies of the Red Sea State’s Governor, and the deteriorating living conditions. People were particularly angry about plans to sell four historical schools in the city’s centre, and use the plots for business investment by the Red Sea State government. File photo: A residential area in Port Sudan (Pulitzer Center) Related:Citizen found dead in Port Sudan police cell (22 July 2014) Growing discontent in Port Sudan: activist interrogated (26 May 2014) Citizens derail Governor’s rally in eastern Sudan (21 May 2014) Protests in Port Sudan against sale of schools (19 May 2014) ’Million signatures campaign’ to remove governor, protests in eastern Sudan (6 May 2014)