- Title: Sudan's ex-president arrives at corruption trial
- Date: 19th August 2019
- Summary: KHARTOUM, SUDAN (AUGUST 19, 2019) (REUTERS) SECURITY FORCES IN FRONT OF COURT HOUSE VARIOUS OF SECURITY FORCES HOLDING WEAPONS MEMBERS OF RAPID SUPPORT FORCES JOURNALISTS TRYING TO FILM THROUGH COURTHOUSE DOOR JOURNALIST TAKING PHOTOS CAR CARRYING EX-PRESIDENT OF SUDAN, OMAR AL-BASHIR, ARRIVING (AUDIO OF SIREN) HEAD OF BASHIR'S DEFENSE COMMITTEE, AHMED IBRAHIM AL-TAHER, SHAKING HANDS WITH PEOPLE IN CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF BASHIR'S DEFENSE COMMITTEE, AHMED IBRAHIM AL-TAHER, SAYING: "The accusation was presented in this session. There were two witnesses. The first witness was the investigator, the second witness was the plaintiff. The court listened to the two witnesses, after which discussions were held regarding the accusation. Additionally, and through the defense, we put forth a lot of questions to the investigator, as well as to the plaintiff. The case of the accusation will continue to the next week, after which the case of the defense will begin. Of course, I cannot say any results, or which results we are likely to reach, or even comment on them, as this is the concern of the court. However, I tell you that we are at ease, God willing, as the case moves forward, hopefully it will benefit the defense." SECURITY FORCES IN FRONT OF SIGN READING (Arabic and English): "Judicial and Legal Science Institute" PEOPLE STANDING IN FRONT OF COURTHOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF BASHIR'S DEFENSE COMMITTEE, AHMED IBRAHIM AL-TAHER, SAYING: "Sending the country's first representative to trial, this is indicative of the fact that the country must have legal judgment, and that this legal judgment applies to everyone. This message is not only for the government that fell, but also a message for the government to which power was transferred. There is no individual that is above the law. For this reason, everyone should take this into account, as the country's president himself was sent to trial." SECURITY FORCES STANDING RAPID SUPPORT FORCES MOVING IN MILITARY VEHICLES CAR CARRYING BASHIR DRIVING AWAY
- Embargoed: 2nd September 2019 15:00
- Keywords: Omar Hassan al-Bashir Sundan's ousted president Khartoum courthouse power-sharing agreement Bashir trial corruption trial corruption charges
- Location: KHARTOUM, SUDAN
- City: KHARTOUM, SUDAN
- Country: Sudan
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001ASVWY87
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Sudan's ousted president Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Monday (August 19) arrived amid heavy security at the courthouse in the capital Khartoum where he is facing corruption charges.
Bashir was also charged in May with incitement and involvement in the killing of protesters, and prosecutors also want him questioned over suspected money laundering and terrorism financing.
His trial will be a test of how serious authorities are about trying to erase the legacy of his autocratic 30-year rule, marked by widespread violence, economic collapse and the secession of South Sudan.
On Saturday (August 17), Sudan's ruling military council, which took over after Bashir was ousted in April, signed a power-sharing agreement with the main opposition coalition, paving the way for a transitional government and eventual elections. It sets up a sovereign council as the highest authority in the country, but largely delegates executive powers to the cabinet of ministers.
(Production: El Tayeb Siddig, Nadeen Ebrahim, Nina Hodgson) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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