Ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir refused to make any statements before the investigation committee during his court session, asserting that he does not regret anything he’s done.
Bashir is on trial for the 1989 coup and refused to deliver his statement before the Public Prosecution’s investigation committee without the presence of his lawyer. He also lodged an appeal with the public prosecutor accusing the constitutional court of lack of impartiality.
The representative of the committee stated that Bashir also refused to comment on a TV interview during which he details the coup.
Bashir told the judge that he insisted on his lawyer’s presence to ensure he won’t make a mistake in his statements, as was the case with a previous charge.
A committee member read the statements of defendant Youssef Abdel Fattah, known as Rambo, as mentioned in the investigation report. He recounted details of the meetings to plan the coup, which was backed by Islamist movement leader, Hassan al-Turabi, and his deputy, Ali Othman Mohammad Taha.
The investigation revealed that Abdel Fattah admitted he was one of the perpetrators of the coup, in addition to a number of civilian leaders of the Islamist movement.
The report noted that Abdel Fattah admitted to his knowledge of the criminality of the coup against the legitimately elected government, and they still went ahead with it.
However, Abdel Fattah denied confessing to that, adding he never mentioned any names in the official report.
Meanwhile, Sudan's Supreme Court has upheld death sentences for 29 intelligence officers for torturing and killing a teacher arrested during anti-government protests that toppled Bashir, a prosecution lawyer told AFP Tuesday.
Ahmed al-Khair, 36, died in custody in February 2019 following his arrest for participating in demonstrations triggered by economic hardship in the eastern state of Kassala.
His killing sparked wide public outcry, fuelling further mass protests, and the army eventually ousted Bashir in April 2019.
"This week's ruling by the Supreme Court confirmed the December 2019 death sentences of 29 intelligence officers," lawyer Adel Abdelghani told AFP, adding the men "could still appeal the ruling before the constitutional court."
Bashir was convicted of money laundering and corruption and sentenced to two years in Kober Central Prison. He is also on trial for the Islamist-backed 1989 military coup that brought him to power.
