Sudan’s former spy chief formally charged, could face death penalty
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June 16, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The defense team for the former director of
Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) Salah Gosh
were dealt a blow today after authorities formally charged him in
connection with a coup attempt thwarted last year.
JPEG - 21.9 kb
Salah Gosh, ex-chief of intelligence and former adviser to Sudanese
President Omer Hassan al-Bashir, (ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images)
For several weeks, the prosecution has failed to produce evidence
implicating Gosh and the judge gave them until today to do so or else
he would order his release.
Yesterday Gosh’s lawyer said that he expects his client to be freed on
Sunday and expressed confidence that the prosecution will fail to come
up with evidence worthy enough of warranting a trial.
But the prosecution today succeeded in getting charges filed against
Gosh and his associate Major General Salah Ahmed Abdalla.
He will face charges that include undermining the constitutional
order, inciting violence to topple the legitimate government and
breaching the anti-terrorism law.
Standing inside a cage, Gosh told the judge that he categorically
objects to the charges and declared his intention to appeal them.
The pre-trial court session, which was held amid tightened security
and in the presence of the families of the detainees, has decided to
confirm the charges following the conclusion of the preliminary
investigation conducted by a committee from the justice ministry.
The head of the committee Osama Ahmed Abdalla decided to extend the
detention of Gosh for one more week pending referring the case to
court.
Gosh’s charges falls under articles 21, 50, 63 of the criminal penal
act which are punishable by death or life imprisonment or imprisonment
and fines with the possibility of confiscation of property as well as
articles 5, 6 of the anti-terrorism act.
The ex-spy chief’s supporters who attended the session chanted “We
will defend you by our souls and blood” when he appeared at the court
arena.
President Bashir twice issued decrees over the last two months
pardoning and commuting sentences for army and security officers
convicted in connection with the coup.
However, the Sudanese president excluded his former adviser and
ex-director of NISS.
Sources with knowledge of the ongoing investigation into the recent
coup attempt have told Sudan Tribune that Gosh and the four security
officers detained with him refused to demand the presidential pardon
as it was done by the military.
Gosh’s arrest marked the downfall of the once powerful spy chief who
is better known for his deep cooperation with the United States on
counter-terrorism following September 2001 attacks in Washington and
New York.
He was surprisingly dismissed from his position in 2009 before being
appointed as a presidential adviser for security.
In 2011 he was abruptly sacked by president Bashir from the position
following an imbroglio between him and the powerful presidential
assistant Nafie Ali Nafie over dialogue with opposition parties. He
was later stripped of his position within the NCP and only maintained
his seat in the Sudanese parliament.
The Sudanese parliament revoked Gosh’s parliamentary immunity to allow
for his prosecution.
(ST)
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