Sudan: the United States protests the release of a terrorist who killed an American in 2008
Ned Price, spokesman for the United States Department, condemned the release of Sudanese Abdel Ra'uf Abuzaid.
AFP - MANUEL BALCE CENETA
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The United States expressed its anger towards Sudan on February 1, 2023. Washington summoned the Sudanese ambassador following the release on January 30 of a terrorist sentenced to death.
Abdel Ra'uf Abuzaid had been tried for his involvement in the attack that killed American humanitarian John Granville and his driver, who worked for the USAID agency, in 2008.
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The Sudanese Supreme Court released Abdel Ra'uf Abuzaid on January 30, 2023. And the United States saw red.
In its first reaction, the State Department, the US Department of Foreign Affairs, said it was "
deeply disturbed by the lack of transparency that led to this decision", also asking for "clarifications
" from Sudan.
But last night, the spokesman for American diplomacy, Ned Price, went further: “
We strongly condemn this unilateral release.
We call on the Sudanese government to use all legal means to reverse this decision and re-arrest Abdel Ra'uf Abuzaid.
We continue to demand that he be held fully responsible for these murders.
»
Ned Price adds: “
Today we are summoning the Sudanese Ambassador to the United States.
Furthermore, our Ambassador to Sudan, John Godfrey, has contacted the highest Sudanese authorities, and our Deputy Secretary Peter Lord will be in Khartoum next week, where he will demand action on this very sensitive issue.
We will not give in.
»
Two other suspects are still at large.
According to the terrorist's family, the judges would have consulted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Khartoum reportedly decided to release him following the 2020 bilateral agreement which provided for damages to be paid by Sudan for past terrorist acts, including the murder of John Granville.
"
The Sudanese claim that the family of John Graville has forgiven but it is false
," retorted Ned Price.
Furthermore, the 2020 bilateral agreement was not about Abuzaid's imprisonment or sentencing.
We have raised this matter in the strongest terms with the Sudanese to ensure that justice is done.
The perpetrator of this horrible terrorist attack should remain in prison
”.
Fifteen years after the attack, the file is far from being closed since two other suspects are still on the run.
The Americans are offering a $5 million reward for any information that helps in their capture.
► Read also: The United States and Sudan sign two major cooperation agreements
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