The Committee for Justice (CFJ) welcomed the decision of the Court of Appeal in Dongola, Northern State, ordering the release of Dr. Ahmed Abdallah Khidr (Ahmed Shafa) after amending his prison sentence and deeming the period he had already spent in detention sufficient, while maintaining the financial fine imposed against him.
The Committee noted that the decision represents a positive step toward ending his deprivation of liberty, but does not fully address the concerns associated with the case, given that the conviction against him remains in force.
CFJ called for the complete overturning of the conviction and for ensuring respect for the right to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as guaranteeing fair trial standards in accordance with international norms. The Committee stressed that such measures are essential to strengthening judicial independence and the rule of law, and to preventing the use of criminal proceedings as a means of restricting freedom of expression or punishing individuals for their views.