Ibrahim al-Sheikh, the leader of the Sudanese Congress Party, who was arrested by the Sudanese security service last Sunday in An-Nahud town in Sudan’s West Kordofan State, will appear before a criminal court on 12 June.

He was reportedly picked up at his home by the security service and taken into custody on Sunday. Prosecution has already referred his case to the court yesterday.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, the SCP Spokesman Bakri Yusuf confirmed that his boss will appear before the court on Thursday. He deplored what he termed dire condition of the prison, saying it lacks basic services.

Yusuf echoed earlier reports that the accusations leveled against the party leader were grave enough that a guilty verdict could bring a sentence of a death penalty.

The party spokesman noted they were perplexed by the way the party leader was arrested by the security service over the weekend.   

For his part, the General Coordinator of the Sudanese Network of Human Rights and Legal Aid Azhari El Haj said the security agents denied the defense lawyers to meet the accused in custody.

El Haj, who is also a member of the defense team, criticized the move, saying it contradicts the bill of rights and the constitution of Sudan.

He pointed out that the prosecution will not be able to provide evidence proving involvement of al-Sheikh in the charges levelled against him.

He emphasized, “The issue of the Janjaweed militia is not an innovation by Mr. al-Sheikh and it is not a new thing.”

Opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi last month also was arrested for criticizing the Rapid Support Forces militia, popularly sometimes referred to as ‘janjaweed.’