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:
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