A criminal trial of a university student charged with premeditated murder for allegedly being involved in the killing of a police officer during protests at Khartoum University in March, is scheduled to start today in Khartoum.
Asim Omar Khalifa, who faces charges under article 130 of the Sudanese criminal code, is a member of the Independent Student’s Congress which is a student branch of the opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCP).
Amani Malik, head of the legal sector of the SCP party, told Radio Tamazuj that today’s sitting would start with procedural matters, saying the trial needs several sittings until final rulings.
She pointed out that the merits of the charge filed by security agents against Omar remain unclear so far. Malik urged human rights defenders to monitor the case closely.
In March, massive demonstrations erupted at the University of Khartoum following press statements made by some officials about government intentions to transfer the university from its current location and to lease out its premises for investment purposes.
Dozens of students were arrested and others wounded in the protests when the police intervened with tear gas and rubber bullets.