US Aid Worker Rearrested by Sudan's Police After Not Guilty

US Aid Worker Rearrested by Sudan's Police After Not Guilty Verdict

Former NBA star Manute Bol with Rudwan Dawod and other aid workers for the U.S. NGO Sudan Sunrise

US Aid Worker Rudwan Dawod in Sudan
WASHINGTON and KHARTOUM, August 15:
Rudwan Dawod, a legal permanent U.S. resident, was arrested in Khartoum, Sudan on July 3, 2012 and charged with terrorism for his participation in a peaceful demonstration while traveling in Sudan to visit family and renew his Sudanese passport.

In an unexpected turn of events, immediately following the Sudanese judge issuing the verdict of "not guilty" Dawod was quickly ushered into a police vehicle by Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), and remains in NISS custody without charge or accusation. Dawod has not been allowed access to his family or a lawyer.

With Wife Nancy Dawod
Unfortunately, Dawod and other Sudanese citizens recently detained by the NISS have testified to being beaten, tortured, and threatened with rape. Therefore, there is a credible concern for Dawod's safety and fear that he may be suffering physical and psychological abuse and torture at the hands of the NISS.

In response to the August 13th detention of Dawod, the State Department issued the following statement:

"Political activist Rudwan Dawod was re-arrested yesterday by the Government of Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services, immediately following his release by a judge who had found him "not guilty" of the most serious charges leveled against him which included terrorism, and had imposed a modest fine (500 Sudanese Pounds-equal to $100) and a sentence limited to time already served.

We do not have any information on what the new charges are. We have urged the Government of Sudan to honor the decision by the judge, which was rooted in Sudanese criminal law as well as established precedent, in his decision to release Dawod."

The NISS's arrest, detention, and subsequent treatment of Dawod represent a gross violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and are also inconsistent with Sudan's own constitution.

Available for interviews:

Girifna members who can report on the Rudwan's trial, the movement and some give first hand accounts of abduction and torture.
Tom Prichard, Director of Sudan Sunrise, who work on closely with Dawod on his reconciliation and humanitarian efforts

Nancy Dawod, who met husband three years ago when they both volunteered with Sudan Sunrise to help Manute Bol's school effort. They are expecting their first child in September, a daughter who they have named "Sudan."

Websites:

http://SudanSunrise.org
http://www.girifna.com
http://www.sudansunrise.org/project/building-reconciliation-torit
www.FreeRudwan.org

Rudwan Dawod is a project director for Sudan Sunrise, a non-governmental organization dedicated to building schools in South Sudan and working to facilitate reconciliationefforts to ensure lasting peace and the end of oppression in Sudan and South Sudan.

ENDS

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