By Matik Kueth
An anti-terrorism court in Port Sudan on Monday began trial proceedings against 201 defendants, among them Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, in one of the most significant legal cases since the outbreak of Sudan’s conflict.
The defendants are being tried both in person and in absentia on charges that include inciting war against the state, undermining the constitutional order, and supporting armed rebellion.
The case stems from a decree issued by Sudanese army chief and Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who ordered the formation of a national committee to investigate crimes allegedly committed by the RSF since the war began.
According to the Public Prosecution, the committee has registered about 12,400 criminal cases against members of the paramilitary group.
The current trial, filed under criminal case number 5010/2023, involves accusations of major crimes, including the assassination of the West Darfur governor and the invasion of Gezira State.
Additional charges include murder, forced displacement, looting, and widespread sexual violence. During the opening session, prosecutors delivered an opening statement outlining evidence gathered over an investigation that lasted more than two and a half years.
The accused, identified as RSF members or alleged collaborators, face charges under several provisions of Sudan’s 1991 Penal Code, including participation in military operations against the Sudanese Armed Forces, unlawful possession of weapons, and crimes against humanity, offences that carry the death penalty if convictions are secured.
Maher Saeed, head of the prosecution team, described the case as one of the most consequential legal actions undertaken by the Public Prosecution in coordination with the police.
He added that the case also includes violations of the 2001 Anti-Terrorism Act and the 2014 Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Act.
Saeed noted that investigators conducted extensive analysis of civil and land registry data to verify the identities of the accused.
The national investigation committee said the indictments were prepared to address violations of both Sudanese law and international humanitarian law.
The court confirmed that hearings will continue until final verdicts are issued for all 201 defendants