Sudanese court sentences 27 security personnel to death
4 others sentenced to prison over torture to death of teacher
Sudanese court on Monday sentenced 27 members of the security force to death for killing a protester in detention in February.
The judge sentenced three other defendants to three years in prison and acquitted seven.
Before delivering the verdict, the judge asked the family of the victim to choose between pardon and retribution and they chose retribution.
On Feb. 2, the Sudanese police announced the death of Ahmed Al-Khair Ahmed, a Sudanese teacher who was detained in Khashm el-Girba town in the eastern state of Kassala after protests, saying the death was caused by “food poisoning.”
However, a government committee in charge of investigating , Sudanese protest said on Feb. 7 that the Sudanese teacher died from injuries caused by a hard object.
Notably, thousands of people gathered outside the court and held a large demonstration after the verdict.
Mass protests erupted in Sudan in December 2018, which led to the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir on April 11.
Another four officers were sentenced to three years in prison and seven acquitted in the landmark ruling that paves the way for democratic transition in the North African nation.
“The 31 security personnel were working in the security units of Khasm Algirba region in Kassala state and are guilty of intentionally arresting, torturing and killing the teacher, Ahmed al-Khair,” the judge said in his ruling.
Thousands of pro-democracy protesters had gathered outside the court ahead of the ruling. Some had also camped around the court from Sunday night.
Celebrations broke out after the ruling with chants of “Blood against blood, no restitution”.
The high school teacher was tortured to death in early February amid reports that he was also raped in custody.
In December 2018, the Sudanese people took to the streets to protest economic hardships they were facing.
The demands escalated into nationwide calls for change leading to the ouster of Bashir after 30 years.
More than 300 protesters have been killed since the protests started and dozens gone missing, according to the opposition Central Committee of the Sudanese Doctors.
