A Khartoum Intellectual Property Court for the trial of El Maidan newspaper’s chief editor Madeeha Abdallah along with two other journalists has adjourned its session up to next month. Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) confiscated the print-run of El Maidan newspaper in Khartoum on Sunday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Chief Editor Madeeha said she was summoned on Tuesday along with the head of the newspaper’s political department Ibrahim Mirghani, and columnist Suleiman Hamed.
Madeeha further said they appeared before the court on charges of defamation after publishing a story on the outbreak of fire in palm trees in Northern State. She pointed out that she will appear before the court again on 27 January in regards to this particular charge.
The senior journalist, who is running the Sudanese Communist Party’s newspaper is also facing other charges including “the undermining of the constitutional order” after a case opened by the NISS.
These charges could bring the death penalty or life imprisonment. Judge Ismat Adul-Rahaman decided to adjourn the sitting until 16 February for further hearing on the case presented by the security agents against the newspaper.
Last Thursday, Madeeha was interrogated by the prosecutor about the publication of an interview on 28 December, but she was released on bail the same day.
She further said since the beginning of this month the NISS has been confiscating the print-run of El Maidan newspaper without any court order and clear reasons.