Sudanese police have released 20 South Sudanese youth who were previously arrested in a settlement in Omdurman town over alleged alcohol brewing.
Chief Malek Deng Malek told Radio Tamazuj that the police released the men who were accused of brewing marissa, a traditional drink made from dates and sorghum.
He said the youth each had to pay a fine but were not charge. He alleged the detainees were tortured before being released and are now receiving treatment.
In the last two weeks, police conducted two separate raids, arresting 18 women on 12 August and 20 youth on 24 August. More than 800 shelters on the outskirts of Khartoum were burned down in the raids.
Related:
Sudanese police raid camps for S Sudanese over alcohol brewery (25 Aug.)
Sudanese police arrest 18 women over alcohol brewery (19 Aug.)
Correction: 11:47 AM, 2 Sep 2015 – A previous version of this article said the women were released. This has been corrected to show that it was the youth, not the women, who were released.