Sudanese Prosecution Arrests Bashir’s Wife in Corruption Cases

Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his wife Widad Babiker attend an official ceremony to welcome Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou in Khartoum. (AFP/File Photo)
Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his wife Widad Babiker attend an official ceremony to welcome Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou in Khartoum. (AFP/File Photo)
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Sudanese Prosecution Arrests Bashir’s Wife in Corruption Cases

Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his wife Widad Babiker attend an official ceremony to welcome Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou in Khartoum. (AFP/File Photo)
Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his wife Widad Babiker attend an official ceremony to welcome Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou in Khartoum. (AFP/File Photo)

The Sudanese Unlawful and Suspicious Enrichment prosecution ordered on Thursday that Widad Babiker, the second wife of ousted Sudanese president Omar Bashir, remains under arrest pending an investigation into corruption cases.

Several sources said that investigators raided on Thursday the house of Babiker in Khartoum’s Kfoury district and escorted her to the prosecution headquarters for questioning.

Babiker is accused of the acquisition of lands in the suburbs of Kfoury.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the prosecution would continue to question the suspect and then would decide if Babiker should remain under arrest for another few days.

The sources added that the Unlawful and Suspicious Enrichment prosecution established a committee tasked with examining cases related to the Sanad Charity Institution, chaired by Babiker.

Last April, reports said that the second wife of Bashir and his brother attempted to leave the country from Juba.

Babiker had been out of sight since her husband, who came to power as a result of a coup in 1989 and ruled the country for 30 years, was toppled by the military on April 11 amid anti-government protests.

Bashir is accused of money laundering following the seizure of millions of US dollars, euros and Sudanese pounds from his home.

A Sudanese court says it will deliver its verdict in his trial on corruption and money laundering charges this month.

The court says following testimonies from defense witnesses it will declare the verdict on Dec. 14.



Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
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Israel Vows to Prevent an Aid Boat Carrying Greta Thunberg, Activists from Reaching Gaza

Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

Israel’s defense minister has vowed to prevent an aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists from reaching the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday that Israel wouldn't allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he said was aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms.

Thunberg, a climate campaigner is among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel departed Sicily last Sunday on a mission that aims to break the sea blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, while raising awareness over the growing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, The AP news reported.

The activists had said they planned to reach Gaza’s territorial waters as early as Sunday.

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among the others onboard. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

After a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers have warned of famine unless the blockade and the war end.

An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.