Port Sudan anti-terrorism court begins trial of RSF leader

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics on X

An anti-terrorism court in Port Sudan on Monday opened trial proceedings against 201 defendants, including Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

The suspects are being tried both in person and in absentia on charges of inciting war against the state, undermining the constitutional order, and supporting rebellion. The trial follows a decree by the army chief and Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to establish a national committee to investigate crimes attributed to the RSF since the conflict began.

The committee has registered approximately 12,400 cases against members of the paramilitary group. The Public Prosecution stated that criminal case number 5010/2023 involves allegations of high-profile crimes, including the assassination of the West Darfur governor and the invasion of Gezira state.

Other charges involve murder, forced displacement, looting, and widespread sexual violence. During the opening session, the prosecution presented an opening statement detailing evidence collected during an investigation that lasted more than two and a half years.

The defendants, identified as RSF members or collaborators, face charges under multiple articles of the 1991 Penal Code. These charges include participating in military operations against the Sudanese Armed Forces, carrying weapons, and committing crimes against humanity, which carry the death penalty upon conviction.

Maher Saeed, head of the prosecution team, described the case as one of the most significant legal actions taken by the Public Prosecution in coordination with the police. The case also includes violations of the 2001 Anti-Terrorism Act and the 2014 Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Act.

Saeed noted that the investigation involved extensive analysis of data from civil and land registries to verify the identities of the accused. The national investigation committee emphasized that the indictment files were prepared to address violations of both national law and international humanitarian law.

The court confirmed that sessions would continue until a final judgment is delivered for all 201 defendants.