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Photo: CSW
World News

Sudan: Defence close case in trial of pastors

by Antony Bushfield

Revd Yat Michael and Revd Peter Reith are both charged with six offences including espionage, promoting hatred amongst sects, breach of public peace and insulting religious beliefs.

The pair deny the accusations and their defence team presented two witnesses to testify for them.

One man, ex-army general and 2010 presidential candidate Abdul Aziz Khalid, told the court the evidence presented against the pastors was public knowledge and therefore the security and espionage charges against the pastors were without basis.

The next hearing is scheduled for 23 July, when the judge will hear closing statements. The verdict is expected on 5 August.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide told Premier the pastors were denied access to their legal team ahead of the hearing, despite an earlier direction from the judge that they would be allowed 15 minutes with their lawyers.
 
The charity said despite repeated requests to the court and prison service, neither the pastor's legal team nor their families have been given permission to visit them in Kober Prison.
 
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: "Today the court heard from a prominent expert witness that there is no basis for the charges against the pastors.

"We therefore renew our call for these unwarranted and extreme charges to be dropped and for Revd Yat Michael and Revd Peter Reith to be released unconditionally and without further delay.

"The ongoing denial of access to the pastors' legal team is unacceptable and in violation of fair trial principles, as articulated in Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Sudan is a party.

"The denial of family visits is a further measure to increase their mental and emotional distress; a cruel and unjust action on the part of the State.

"We urge the African Union in particular, and the wider international community, to challenge Sudan on its treatment of the pastors and its failure to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief and the right to a fair trial."

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