Bashir’s Uncle Arrested over 'Threat of Violence' to Topple Transitional Govt

File photo: Ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir (Ashraf Shazly, AFP)
File photo: Ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir (Ashraf Shazly, AFP)
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Bashir’s Uncle Arrested over 'Threat of Violence' to Topple Transitional Govt

File photo: Ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir (Ashraf Shazly, AFP)
File photo: Ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir (Ashraf Shazly, AFP)

The Sudanese authorities arrested leader in the former regime Al-Tayeb Mustafa on several charges including threatening to use violence to overthrow the transitional government.

The committee formed to dismantle the regime of 30th June 1989 and eliminate corruption filed a lawsuit against Mustafa. The indictment included threats to release the so-called jihadists to topple the transitional government, “incite hatred against the state, undermine the constitutional order and question members of the dismantling committee.”

These charges could lead to sentences that amount to up to 10 years in prison.

Ousted President Omar al-Bashir’s uncle has consistently belittled the revolution, questioned its prominent figures by taking advantage of the column he writes in a daily newspaper.

Although Mustafa announced his resignation from the dissolved National Congress Party and the establishment of the Just Peace Forum (JPF) party, however, he won a seat in the parliament appointed by Bashir.

Mustafa chaired Bashir’s information committee with the rank of minister until the regime was toppled on April 11, 2019.

Spokesman of the Committee for Dismantling Ingaz (Salvation) Regime and Removing Empowerment Salah Manna told Asharq Al-Awsat that Mustafa was handed over to the Public Prosecution for investigation.

Manna explained that the arrested leader had published an article in Al-Intibaha newspaper in which he insulted the state.

According to Manna, Mustafa accused the committee members of receiving bribes, and he called for undermining the constitutional system.

“He is talking about the law, and we filed lawsuits against him under the law,” the spokesman stressed, adding that he will face all the laws he had breached.

Mustafa is expected to face charges that do not exceed 10 years in prison, according to the “Dismantling of the regime of 30th June 1989” law.

Mustafa appeared in the Sudanese political life suddenly after his nephew assumed the presidency with the Islamists' coup in June 1989. This allowed him to hold many posts without enjoying competence.

He was also known for his hostility and racist stances against citizens of South Sudan and is said to be one of the godfathers of South Sudan’s secession.



Body of Mohammed Sinwar Identified

Palestinians inspecting the site of an Israeli airstrike near the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters
Palestinians inspecting the site of an Israeli airstrike near the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters
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Body of Mohammed Sinwar Identified

Palestinians inspecting the site of an Israeli airstrike near the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters
Palestinians inspecting the site of an Israeli airstrike near the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters

Israeli authorities said on Sunday they identified the body of Hamas' military chief Mohammed al-Sinwar that was earlier retrieved from a tunnel underneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, following a targeted operation last month.

Al-Sinwar is the chief commander of Hamas's military wing and the younger brother of slain Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar.

“The body of al-Sinwar, is now in Israeli custody,” the Israeli army confirmed Sunday following a completed identification process, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

Authorities gave no further details about the other bodies found in the interconnected tunnel complex.

Earlier, the Israeli Radio channel said the bodies of 10 other Palestinian Hamas members and leaders were recovered from the tunnel.

The bodies were recovered during a special military operation.

“The Israeli military released footage showing the underground infrastructure beneath the hospital, including a command-and-control center reportedly used by senior Hamas commanders to direct combat operations,” Yedioth Ahronoth said.

It added that the operation began last Wednesday evening. Prior to the raid, the hospital had been evacuated.

Later, the government media office in Gaza denied the Israeli military claims that the tunnel was found beneath the European Hospital.

The office said the video released by the Israeli army shows a narrow metal pipe that cannot fit a person, has no stairs or equipment and is located in an area used for rainwater drainage.

It also said the Israeli forces dug the site themselves and staged the footage near the hospital’s emergency department, which remains crowded with patients.

On May 21, two Palestinian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Sinwar was killed alongside other Hamas figures in an Israeli airstrike on an underground tunnel near the European Hospital east of Khan Younis.

One source said the bodies were moved from one tunnel to another for temporary burial. “They were buried underground due to security concerns,” the source added.

“Hamas informed the families that the remains were not brought above ground and are expected to remain buried in the tunnels until the security situation allows for proper funerals,” the sources said.

A second source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Qassam Brigades special units entered the collapsed tunnel after the bombing and recovered several bodies.

The source said the method used to retrieve the bodies mirrored that of previous operations, including the recovery of senior Hamas officials Rawhi Mushtaha and Sameh al-Siraj, whose deaths were also confirmed posthumously.