Protesters against the military coup in Sudan walk past fumes of tear gas fired by security forces during a demonstration in “Street 60” in the east of capital Khartoum on 13 November 2021. Sudanese security forces shot at protesters on 13 November in a crackdown on anti-coup demonstrations, medics said, after the military tightened its grip by forming a new ruling council. Photo: AFP
Sudan releases Al Jazeera bureau chief
EIC of the armed forces newspaper, charged that Al Jazeera had “published unrealistic reports and released old videos […]”
Protesters against the military coup in Sudan walk past fumes of tear gas fired by security forces during a demonstration in “Street 60” in the east of capital Khartoum on 13 November 2021. Sudanese security forces shot at protesters on 13 November in a crackdown on anti-coup demonstrations, medics said, after the military tightened its grip by forming a new ruling council. Photo: AFP
Sudanese authorities released Al Jazeera television’s Khartoum bureau chief on Tuesday, the Qatar-based network said, two days after security forces arrested him from his home.
The arrest of Al-Musalami al-Kabbashi was the latest since a military coup three weeks ago and came after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets on Saturday to demand a transition to civilian rule.
SUDAN MILITARY DETAINED AL JAZEERA CHIEF
Kabbashi, a Sudanese citizen, “was released on Tuesday… the military has yet to give a reason for his detention,” the network said.
The editor in chief of the armed forces newspaper, Ibrahim al-Hory, charged that Al Jazeera had “published unrealistic reports and released old videos and hosted hostile personalities that instigated strife.”
SUDAN MILITARY GRIPS MEDIA
Al Jazeera has given prominent coverage to the anti-coup demonstrations but has also aired a detailed interview with top general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Late Monday, Al Jazeera reported that Kabbashi had been taken to prison despite a prosecutor’s order for his release.
READ: Al Jazeera says its chief in Sudan taken to prison
MILITARY DEFIES JUDICIAL DECISIONS
Judicial decisions have been disregarded on several occasions since the coup. Lawyer Enaam Attik told AFP that prosecutors had ordered the release of 50 people arrested during Saturday’s rallies but “police took them to an unknown location”.
The internet has remained largely cut in Sudan despite a court order last week to restore services.
ARMY POWER GRAB PROTESTS
Burhan declared a state of emergency on 25 October, ousted the government and detained the civilian leadership.
The army’s power grab has derailed a transition to full civilian rule, sparked international condemnation and provoked regular protests.
‘RECTIFY COURSE OF TRANSITION’
Burhan insists the military’s move “was not a coup” but a push to “rectify the course of the transition”.
The anti-coup demonstrations have been met by a deadly crackdown that has left at least 23 people dead. Saturday was the bloodiest day so far with eight people killed, medics said.
© Agence France-Presse
