By RFIPubliée le 19-08-2019Modified on 19-08-2019 at 14:50

Dismissed on April 11 after four months of unprecedented popular protests, the former head of state must now respond to accusations of corruption.

As during his appearance before the public prosecutor's office last June, Omar al-Bashir arrived in court Monday morning supervised by an imposing military escort. The opening of the trial was originally scheduled for Saturday, August 17, but it was postponed sine die , while the signing ceremony of the power-sharing agreement between civilians and military was scheduled the same day.

The charges against the former head of state are " possession of foreign currency " and acts of " bribery " and " trading in influence, " according to the prosecution.

It is recalled that shortly after his arrest, the transitional military authorities had made impressive television bundles of state television, a total sum of $ 113 million seized from his residence. In June, one of his lawyers said it was " emergency funds ", that is, a reserve available to the president to deal with difficult situations. in the country. The investigator in charge of the case has already referred to the court a gift of $ 90 million from Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Ben Salmane.

After the arrest of Omar al-Bashir last April , the prosecutor also raised charges of " killings " of demonstrators, but without further details. It should be noted that this charge provides for the death penalty in Sudan. Yet there is no indication at this point that these charges will be addressed at this Monday's hearing.

Moreover, the Sudanese case against Omar al-Bashir is still rather vague. While the former president is still being asked by the International Criminal Court for much heavier charges, this is only the beginning of a long judicial serial.

    On the same subject

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    Sudan: Omar al-Bashir's trial for corruption postponed until mid-August

    Sudan: junta wants to try Omar el-Bechir without handing him over to the ICC

    Sudan: Omar al-Bashir deferred to prosecution

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