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Updated September 1st, 2019 at 17:37 IST

Sudan's ex-President Omar al-Bashir indicted for multiple crimes

Omar al-Bashir was formally charged by a Sudanese court for possessing illicit weapons and foreign currency. Bashir claims funds came from Saudi's crown Prince.

Reported by: Nisha Qureshi
Sudan's ex-president
| Image:self
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Sudan's ex-President Omar al-Bashir was formally indicted by a Sudanese court for possessing illicit weapons, foreign currency and corruption. Millions of Sudanese Pounds were found at his residence when he was toppled and arrested in June this year. The ex-President was publicly questioned for the first time since he was overthrown. Bashir claimed that he received $25 million from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other sources. However, he said that he did not use any of the resources for his personal benefits. He said that the money was used for funding a university, medical purposes and an Islamic Television Channel.

READ | Social media turns blue as netizens worldwide show solidarity to the people of Sudan amid political crisis

Bashir was denied bail

Bashir's lawyer said that Bashir had denied the charges against him and witnesses would be present in the next hearing. He requested the court for bail. The judge, however, denied the lawyer's requests and said that the period for Bashir's detention would be decided on September 7. The Sudanese Military overthrew Omar al-Bashir after several months of protest and rebellion across Sudan against the government. The country is now headed by civilian rule after a power-sharing deal was signed by the protest leaders and the generals who overthrew Omar al-Bashir.

READ | Sudan to launch historic transition to civilian rule

Other charges against Omar al-Bashir

Omar al-Bashir appeared in the court in a white robe and was behind a metal courtroom cage. The charges against an ex-president are the maximum of a 10-year sentence. Bashir was also charged with the incitement of killing of protestors in June during the Sudanese Uprising. He's also wanted by the International Criminal Court and has been charged for crimes against humanity, war crime and genocide in  Sudan's Darfur region that has been under conflict since 2003. On April 11, 2019, Bashir al Omar was overthrown by the Sudanese Armed Forces after several months of protests and uprising. He was placed under a house arrest and was later moved to Khartoum's Kobar prison in Sudan.

READ | What's happening in Sudan? Here's all you need to know

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Published September 1st, 2019 at 13:52 IST

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