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Sudan hangs six over refugee riot | Sudan hangs six over refugee riot |
(20 minutes later) | |
Six Sudanese men have been executed for their part in a riot at a refugee camp in Khartoum in 2005. | Six Sudanese men have been executed for their part in a riot at a refugee camp in Khartoum in 2005. |
The men were held responsible for killing 13 policemen during the riots in which five civilians also died. | The men were held responsible for killing 13 policemen during the riots in which five civilians also died. |
The violence flared when police tried to clear the Soba Aradi camp, which housed refugees from the two-decade long north-south civil war. | The violence flared when police tried to clear the Soba Aradi camp, which housed refugees from the two-decade long north-south civil war. |
Rights group Amnesty condemned the executions, saying that the men may have been tortured into confessing. | Rights group Amnesty condemned the executions, saying that the men may have been tortured into confessing. |
'Blatant failure' | 'Blatant failure' |
The latest executions once again put strain on the fragile peace between northern and southern politicians. | The latest executions once again put strain on the fragile peace between northern and southern politicians. |
Some of the men were reportedly from Darfur, and others were from the south. | Some of the men were reportedly from Darfur, and others were from the south. |
The main southern political party, the SPLM, which is a partner in the national government, said five of them were its members. | The main southern political party, the SPLM, which is a partner in the national government, said five of them were its members. |
"There was no evidence... that they were responsible," SPLM official Yasir Arman told Reuters news agency. | "There was no evidence... that they were responsible," SPLM official Yasir Arman told Reuters news agency. |
"This was a political issue and there were many irregularities in the court proceedings." | "This was a political issue and there were many irregularities in the court proceedings." |
Amnesty said there had been a "blatant failure" to ensure that the men had a fair trial. | Amnesty said there had been a "blatant failure" to ensure that the men had a fair trial. |
"These tragic deaths highlight the growing number of executions taking place in Sudan, many of which are being carried out after unfair trials," said the group's Tawanda Hondora. | "These tragic deaths highlight the growing number of executions taking place in Sudan, many of which are being carried out after unfair trials," said the group's Tawanda Hondora. |
According to the group, Sudan put to death 60 people last year. | According to the group, Sudan put to death 60 people last year. |
The 22-year war between the mainly Muslim north and the Christian and animist south claimed the lives of some 1.5 million people. | The 22-year war between the mainly Muslim north and the Christian and animist south claimed the lives of some 1.5 million people. |
As part of the 2005 peace deal, northern and southern politicians agreed to share power until a national election scheduled for April. | As part of the 2005 peace deal, northern and southern politicians agreed to share power until a national election scheduled for April. |