Sudan's military authorities referred several political detainees to the State Security Prosecution to face charges of "incitement and stirring discontent among the armed forces" In spite of the signing of the agreement that ended the recent military coup.
Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had signed an agreement with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok stipulating the"unconditional" release of all political detainees.
Sovereign Council Member Mohamed al-Faki and Minister of Industry Ibrahim al-Sheikh were also referred to State Security Prosecution.
A member of the defense team, Muez Hadrat, told Asharq Al-Awsat that opening the cases now aims at preventing the release of specific figures because they were among the most critical of the military before the October 25 coup.
Hadrat explained that the Sheikh and his companions had been released from the General Intelligence Service, but other "regular forces" re-arrested them moments later, saying their release "violates the law and contradicts the recent political agreement between Hamdok and Burhan."
Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the authorities re-arrested seven former officials shortly after their release. They are being held under articles 58 and 62 of the Criminal Code related to inciting the regular forces to revolt and inciting discontent among the regular troops.
The penalties range between five to seven years in prison and include a fine.
Activists and politicians dismissed the decision to refer the detainees to the prosecution, saying it violates the agreement between Hamdok and Burhan.
During an interview with state television, Faki said it is necessary to differentiate between the armed forces and their members who hold political positions, explaining that criticism of the military in the Sovereign Council is a political act that does not mean criticizing the military institution.
Minister Sheikh demanded that the military component of the Sovereign Council relinquish the presidency in accordance with the constitutional document.
"We agreed as a military or civilian component that whoever is rejected by the public should resign and submit to their will."
