Sudan jails 2 opposition journalists

Two journalists from Sudan’s largest opposition group, the Umma Party, have been jailed for publishing “false news, defamation and taking pictures of military zones,” the Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

A court in Khartoum sentenced Emad Al-Sadeq to nine months and his brother Orwah Al-Sadeq to 12 months in jail. Both were also ordered to pay fines of 10,000 Sudanese pounds ($1,666) and 20,000 Sudanese pounds ($3,333) respectively.

The brothers were arrested in January when there were calls from their party for anti-government demonstrations.

Imad was sentenced based on article 66 and 160 of the Sudanese criminal law which are related to publishing false news and defamation, while Orwah was sentenced based on article 57 and 157 of the same law which are related to entering military zones and taking pictures.

Orwa was cleared of charges relating to “undermining the constitutional system” of the country.

According to Anadolu, the ruling is subject to appeal, but the defence team did not announce whether it would appeal the rulings.