Anger after Sudan court acquits murder accused

The criminal court in Khartoum North on Wednesday acquitted the man accused of the murder of Sara Abdel Bagi during demonstrations in September 2013. The court ordered his immediate release, which sparked protests outside the courtroom. The Judge, Mohamed Sadig, in the scheduled session for a verdict in the case said that he found “a contradiction in the words of the witnesses against the accused” and therefore dismissed the case. He also ordered the trial judge to hand over the weapon provided by the exhibits to the police Immediately following the verdict, a number of activists staged a protest outside the courtroom, however a heavy security presence around the perimeter of the court ordered the audience to leave the scene. Police detained four activists , including attorney Mutasim El Haj, head of the indictment in the case. He was released later on Wednesday, but not before nearly three hours of questioning and accusations of inciting protesters outside the court. Main picture: Angry protesters gather outside the court following the verdict (Pictures courtesy of Radio Dabanga listeners)Women protest the release of the man accused of murdering Sarah Abdel Baqi during demonstrations in SeptemberThe scene outside the courtroom following the verdictA protestor holds a picture of the murdered woman