COURT TRIAL OF NISS SUDAN AGAINST PASTORS AND ACTIVIST POSTPONED
A Sudanese court has postponed the trial of three pastors and one social activist from 14 August 2016 to 21 August 2016, in the presence of activists and supporters.
On 14 August 2016, the Khartoum Central Court adjourned the scheduled hearing to 21 August 2016 after court police failed to bring the defendants from prison to the courtroom.
The case was initially filed on 18 May 2016 by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) at the State Security Prosecutor (SSP) office against the following individuals:
- Hassan Abdelraheem Kodi (Pastor)
- Kuwa Shamal Abu Zumam (Pastor)
- Peter (Non-Sudanese Pastor)
- Abdelmoneim Abdalmowla (Social Activist)
They have been charged under Articles 21, 50, 51, 53, 63, and 64 of the Sudanese Criminal Code (1991), including allegations related to crimes against the state. Prior to this, they were detained by NISS for approximately five months.
On 4 August 2016, the SSP office referred the case to the court, after which the defendants were transferred from SSP detention facilities to Omdurman Prison.
A member of the Solidarity Committee with Sudanese Christians stated:
“The pastors and activist Abdelmoneim have been held in very poor conditions. NISS, along with SSP, appears to intend prolonged detention. The court’s delay reflects the same pattern, despite the lack of evidence against them. It seems they are being punished for exercising their right to attend the Addis Ababa conference.”
Other activists have described the case as part of broader government efforts to target Christian communities in Sudan.