The family of Ibrahim Osman Ahmed, a young man facing a death sentence and ten years imprisonment, has lodged an appeal against the verdict issued by the Criminal Court of Al-Gedaref in eastern Sudan.

Concurrently, they have chosen not to disclose this verdict to Ibrahim’s mother, fearing it could adversely affect her health. Instead, they continue to inform her that he remains in detention only.

Last Monday, the Criminal Court of Al-Gedaref handed down a sentence of ten years imprisonment and death by hanging to Ibrahim Osman Ahmed Yonus, based on his conviction under Article 51 of the Sudanese Penal Code.

Ibrahim was apprehended at the passports offices in Al-Gedaref by military intelligence. A photo on his phone showing him wearing traditional attire (Kadmol) and carrying a weapon led to charges of affiliation with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The father of the young man vehemently denied any ties between his son and the RSF, asserting, “My son Ibrahim has absolutely no association with the Rapid Support Forces, neither remotely nor closely. He has committed his time to memorizing the Quran in two recitations after studying it in Blue Nile State, and he was pursuing studies at Rabat University, Faculty of Islamic Studies.”

Following the outbreak of war in Khartoum, Ibrahim and his family relocated to Al-Gedaref city. He was ensnared and arrested while inside the passport office, initiating a three-month period of investigation and trial that culminated in the verdict issued against him on March 18. The father decried the verdict against his son as unjust.

The father of the convicted youth maintains that in Bedouin society in Darfur, wearing the Kadmol and carrying a weapon is commonplace. He emphasized that they chose not to inform Ibrahim’s mother of the verdict due to concerns about her health.

Lawyer Ahmed Eissa Abbu commented, “The Criminal Court of Al-Gedaref issued a verdict against the young man Ibrahim Osman Ahmed Yonus under Articles 51 and 65 of the Penal Code, pertaining to incitement of war against the state and management of criminal organizations. Merely possessing a picture on a phone does not justify such a verdict according to the law.”

The lawyer criticized the imposition of multiple penalties for a single accusation. “This raises doubts, particularly regarding the matter of wearing traditional attire. According to the law, any doubts should be interpreted in favour of the accused,” he added.