Sudan’s Bashir charged with illegal use of foreign funds

Sudan’s ousted president Omar al-Bashir was charged in court with illegal acquisition and use of foreign funds, offences that could land him behind bars for more than a decade.  Bashir, who was deposed in April following months of mass protests against his rule, appeared in court in a black metal cage wearing the country’s traditional white attire and turban. 

Judge Al-Sadiq Abdelrahman outlined the charges at what was the third session of the trial, saying cash in multiple currencies was uncovered at his home. Authorities had “seized 6.9 million euros, $351,770 and 5.7 million Sudanese pounds at (Bashir’s) home which he acquired and used illegally”, said Abdelrahman. Speaking for the first time in court, 75-year-old Bashir said the seized funds were the remainder of the equivalent of $25 million that he had received from the Saudi crown prince.

“My office manager... received a call from the office of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman saying he has a ‘message’ that will be sent on a private jet,” Bashir told the court. “We were told that the crown prince did not want his name to appear (linked to the transaction)... and if the funds were deposited with Sudan’s bank or the finance ministry, the source would have to be identified,” he said. 

Dozens of Bashir’s relatives attended Saturday’s session, chanting “Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest)” as he entered the courtroom pointing his index finger to the sky. According to Judge Abdelrahman, Sudanese law punishes illegal acquisition of wealth by up to 10 years in jail while illicit use of foreign funds carries up to three years.

Bashir’s defence lawyers insisted their client was “not guilty” and said witnesses would be brought before the court. “We have witnesses, proof and documents that we will present to court to refute these charges,” said lawyer Ahmed Ibrahim al-Taher. After two and a half hours, the judge ordered that the trial be adjourned until September 7.