Sudan's ex-president Bashir's corruption trial to seek bail

Sudan
# 24 August 2019 16:38 (UTC +04:00)

The lawyer for Sudan’s ex-president Omar Hassan al-Bashir said on Saturday that he will request that Bashir be released on bail as his trial on corruption charges continues, APA reports citing Reuters.

“We are going to ask today that he be released on bail because this is an ordinary case,” Ahmed Ibrahim told reporters outside the courtroom.

Bashir is charged with illicit possession of foreign currency and accepting gifts in an unofficial manner.

During the hearing, the judge asked for the bail request in writing, and said his office was open to receiving it at any time.

Bashir acknowledged receiving millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, a police detective told the court on Monday.

Bashir weathered multiple rebellions, economic crises, U.S. sanctions and coup attempts until he was overthrown by the military in April after mass protests against his 30-year rule.

His trial is seen as a test of how serious authorities are about trying to erase the legacy of his rule.

Bashir did not speak during Saturday’s hearing.

A group of about 150 Bashir supporters staged a protest near the courtroom, chanting “We stand united behind our leader” and holding signs saying “The trial of the president is the trial of the nation.”

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THE OPERATION IS BEING PERFORMED