afrol News, 4 July - Senior Darfur rebel group member who allegedly involved in the attack on Sudan’s capital, Khartoum in May which claimed over 200 lives has finally appeared in court.

Mr Abdul Aziz Ashur, a member of Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is accused of launching an attack on Khartoum and its suburb, Omdurman on 10 May after crossing hundreds of kilometers of desert, the closest rebels from western Darfur region have come to the capital.

Mr Ashur who is said to be a relative of JEM leader Mr Khalil Ibrahim and at least seven other defendants were in court in Khartoum facing charges for their role in the attack.

Sudan's attorney general Salah Abu Zeid read out the indictment, accusing the suspects under criminal law and anti-terrorism legislation for orchestrating a terrorist attack on the capital.

However, defence lawyer Mr Satie Mohamed al-Haj told reporters after the hearing that the formation of the special court before which his clients had appeared was unconstitutional and did not guarantee their legal rights.

Mr Ashur joined JEM in 2003 and headed its activities in Eritrea until 2005 when Sudanese-Eritrean relations improved after the signing of a peace agreement between north and south Sudan.

Sudan began proceedings on 18 June against 39 suspected Darfur rebels who are put on trial at special courts across Khartoum on terrorism charges.

Human Rights Watch last month urged Sudan's government to release or charge the hundreds of Darfuris who have been arrested since last month's attack. The New York-based group said prisoners have complained of mistreatment and torture.

The United Nations says the death toll from five years of war, famine and disease in Darfur may be up to 300,000. Khartoum puts the toll at 9,000.

Darfur conflict began in the arid and impoverished region early in 2003 after a rebel group began attacking government targets, saying the region was being neglected by Khartoum.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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