Press Release
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) reported that on Saturday, September 7th, security forces in Port Sudan, eastern Sudan, arrested lawyer Montasir Abdullah, who represents the defense team for the leaders of the Democratic Civil Forces Coalition “Taqaddum.”
Abdullah’s arrest came after he filed a request to review the investigation records for Case No. 1613/2024, which has been filed against Dr. Abdalla Hamdok and several political leaders and activists. CFJ noted that the public prosecutor had filed charges against approximately 16 leaders of “Taqaddum,” including coalition leader Abdalla Hamdok, accusing them of war crimes, ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, and genocide. The Sudanese authorities have also contacted Interpol to issue a red notice for the accused, a move that the coalition leaders opposed.
The committee highlighted that Abdullah was arrested after submitting legal requests to access the investigation files and that he remains detained without being released or provided with clear legal reasons for the arrest. He was reportedly seen at the headquarters of the Port Sudan judicial authority, where the circumstances surrounding his detention remain opaque.
CFJ considers this arrest a violation of human rights and an infringement on the lawyer’s right to practice his profession. CFJ also expressed deep concern for the safety of the detained lawyer, holding the authorities fully responsible for any harm that may befall him, and called for his unconditional and immediate release.
