Former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir charged over killing of protesters

Former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir has been charged over the killing of protesters during last month's uprising that drove him from power.

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir.

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir. Source: AP

Sudanese prosecutors have charged ousted president Omar al-Bashir with involvement in killing protesters and incitement to kill protesters during the uprising that drove him from power last month, state news agency SUNA reports.

It was not immediately clear what punishment he might face. Protest organisers say security forces killed around 100 demonstrators during the four months of rallies leading to al-Bashir's overthrow.

Sudan's ousted President Omar al-Bashir.
Sudan's ousted President Omar al-Bashir. Source: AP


The transitional military council ruling Sudan has said al-Bashir will face justice inside the country and will not be extradited to the Hague, where the International Criminal Court has charged him with war crimes and genocide linked to the Darfur conflict in the 2000s.

Al-Bashir, who was the only sitting head of state to be subject to an international arrest warrant, was imprisoned in the capital, Khartoum, days after the military removed him from power.

The military ousted al-Bashir on April 11, but the demonstrators have remained in the streets, demanding the dismantling of his regime and a swift transition to civilian rule. In recent weeks they have threatened a general strike and civil disobedience.

 Sudanese celebrate after officials said the military had forced longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir to step down.
Sudanese celebrate after officials said the military had forced longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir to step down. Source: AP


The protesters resumed negotiations with the army on Monday while calling for more demonstrations.

Military council spokesman Lieutenant General Shams al-Deen al-Kabashi said Monday's meeting, the first in over a week, was held in "a more optimistic atmosphere".




The protesters are represented by the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, a coalition of opposition groups led by the Sudanese Professionals Association.

Al-Kabashi said they agreed on the creation of a sovereign council, a cabinet and a legislative body that would govern the country during the transition.

He said they will discuss the makeup of the three bodies and the duration of the transition on Tuesday.


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