The Committee for Justice (CFJ) welcomes the release of Sudan TV photojournalist Abdel Aziz Mahmoud Saleh Arja on Wednesday, after more than a year in detention. His release followed a ruling by the Port Sudan General Court acquitting him of charges related to alleged cooperation and espionage with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Arja’s release came after court proceedings that began in May 2026. The court found him not guilty of the charges brought by the security cell, including violations of Articles 50 and 51 of the Sudanese Criminal Code, relating to undermining the constitutional order and waging war against the state, as well as Article 26 of the Cybercrime Law.
According to one of his relatives, Arja was arrested twice during the ongoing conflict. The first arrest was carried out by the Rapid Support Forces in Zalingei, Central Darfur State. The second occurred upon his arrival at Port Sudan Airport, where he was detained by the security cell and held for more than four months before being transferred to the national prison. He remained in custody until the start of his trial.
CFJ considers Arja’s release following his acquittal to be a positive step and emphasizes the importance of respecting legal safeguards in judicial proceedings. The organization stresses that criminal and security measures should not be used to target journalists and media professionals because of their work or their exercise of press freedom.
The Committee for Justice calls for an end to all forms of harassment, arbitrary arrest, and prosecution targeting journalists in Sudan, and urges authorities to guarantee their freedom to carry out their professional duties without threats or arbitrary detention. CFJ further calls for a comprehensive review of the cases of all detained journalists and the release of those against whom no charges can be substantiated through a fair and impartial trial.
