Three Sudanese journalists arrested for covering protests

Three Sudanese journalists will be expected to appear before the Khartoum East Court for covering the ongoing protests in Khartoum.

Mr Khalid Fathi, Mr Hamad Suleiman and Mr Tegi Osman were arrested by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) for defying an order by President Omar Bashir not to cover the protest.

The three will be joining the Editor-in-Chief of the El Tayyar  newspaper, Mr Osman Mirghani, who has been in detention since Friday for publishing articles about the protests.

According to officials, 30 people have lost their lives as a result of the unrest. However, the Human Rights Watch says that the number may be as high as 51.

The Sudanese Journalists’ Network has put out a statement saying the recent arrests have added “to the variety of shameful practices and violations of the security apparatus against the Sudanese press.The network will continue its activities in exposing the security service’s plan, which works to terrorize and intimidate journalists and confiscate the freedom of press.”