Sudan sentenced Major General Abdul Ghaffar al-Sharif, former National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), to seven years in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of 7 million Sudanese pounds (about a quarter of a million dollars) as part of an anti-corruption campaign that was launched this week.
His defense lawyer Hassan Burhan told Asharq Al-Awsat that his client faced charges over misusing his authority and exploiting his position in order to receive bribes or harm to others.
“It sentenced him to seven years in prison,” Burhan added.
Sharif was also billed a fine to be collected according to the Civil Procedure Act 1983.
The defendant's lawyer declined to reveal any further details.
The court granted Sharif a 15-day period to prepare an appeal and overturn rulings. Any appeal issued is to be directed to the Military Court of Appeal.
Sharif's trial began in July, after the state security prosecution charged him with criminal law charges, including “treason, bribery, ransom and corruption, money laundering, support for terrorism” and other clauses relating to national security.
However, the court dismissed some of the charges and only condemned him on charges relating to exploitation of influence among staffers and inappropriate conduct.
Sharif, who had extensive influence within the national security and intelligence service, was forced to resign in February shortly after the head of the agency, Maj. Gen. Salah Abdallah, was reinstated as Director General of NISS after being dismissed several years ago.
The trial of the former security official comes as part of a campaign to fight corruption announced by President Omar al-Bashir in February and carried out by the NISS.
