Sudanese Court Acquits Medical Student Sentenced to Death for Alleged RSF Ties
In a significant development, a Sudanese appeal court has acquitted Aya Mustafa, a medical student who was previously sentenced to death for collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The court’s decision comes after the defence successfully appealed the conviction, citing an old video showing Mustafa in an RSF uniform as the basis for the charges.
According to defence lawyer Mohamed Hashim, the video was filmed before the war and was not illegal at the time. Hashim emphasized that Mustafa is an ordinary citizen with no affiliation to any military force and had fled from Khartoum to the River Nile region to escape the conflict.
Mustafa was arrested on April 14 in Atbara, along with her mother and sister, who were later acquitted. The charges against her stemmed from her appearance in the video wearing the RSF uniform. The court’s decision to dismiss the charges and release Mustafa from Port Sudan prison is anticipated soon.
This case is part of a broader pattern where courts in various states have sentenced several women to death for alleged collaboration with the RSF. Mustafa’s acquittal is a significant victory for human rights advocates and a reminder of the importance of upholding due process and the rule of law.
As a medical student at the River Nile State University, Mustafa’s future was cut short when she was forced to flee Khartoum to her grandfather’s house in Atbara last August due to the escalating conflict. Her father is a co-resident engineer with a background in military manufacturing.
The Sudanese government’s use of Article 51-A of the Criminal Act of 1991, which criminalises ‘waging war against the state’, has been widely criticized for its broad scope and potential for abuse. The law aims to maintain internal security by severely punishing those who engage in or support military actions against the state, but its application has raised concerns about the erosion of human rights and due process.
Mustafa’s acquittal is a step towards justice and a reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and the rule of law in Sudan.
