Mohamed Hassan al-Amin, a member of the defense team for Sudan's former President Omar al-Bashir, stated that al-Bashir is currently in his cell in Khartoum and receiving medical treatment at Aliya Hospital in the military medical complex. Al-Bashir had returned to Khartoum from Merowe after his health deteriorated. Al-Amin emphasized that several entities are willing to accept and welcome al-Bashir more than the current leadership, which has kept him in detention for over seven years.
Al-Amin noted that transferring al-Bashir to Aliya Hospital in the military medical complex was necessary for further medical examinations and procedures available at the hospital. A medical report allegedly confirms that al-Bashir needs to travel abroad for treatment of certain symptoms that have appeared but not yet been identified. Al-Amin stressed that his travel has become an urgent necessity. He also mentioned that al-Bashir's family and the defense team have requested that he be allowed to receive medical treatment outside Sudan, citing it as one of his basic rights.
Al-Amin revealed that previous approval was merely a personal notification from some parties, but it was not implemented. This meant that there was a promise to allow al-Bashir to travel and be released, while some of those who were detained with him were released and allowed to travel. Al-Amin denied that there are any ongoing proceedings by the Public Prosecution Office or the judiciary against al-Bashir. He claimed that the case related to the 30 June 1989 coup has been suspended, and all defendants in the case, whether inside or outside Sudan, are free to move.
Al-Amin expressed his belief that the war has imposed different circumstances. He pointed out that over 2,000 people sentenced to death have been released and not returned. He added that even those who participated in the fighting and committed many crimes have returned to speak publicly. Al-Amin questioned why a person who ruled Sudan for 30 years, sacrificed himself in South Sudan and other places, and was exposed to many risks for the sake of the country, should be treated differently.
Al-Amin emphasized that the request to allow al-Bashir to receive medical treatment abroad is not a request made to the head of the leadership or state leaders as if it were a request from an ordinary person. Rather, it is a request for a person who has given a lot to his country. Al-Amin considers it essential to allow al-Bashir to go for treatment abroad, which he believes is the least that can be offered to him.
Regarding the expected destination for al-Bashir abroad, al-Amin did not specify a particular country. Instead, he stated that al-Bashir has the right to choose a country in the regional environment that has the necessary medical treatment and is safe for him. Al-Amin noted that several countries have expressed their readiness to host and treat al-Bashir and that he will determine his place of residence during his treatment period.
Al-Amin concluded by stating that the opportunity is available, and it is not possible to say that there is no country willing to accept al-Bashir. He reiterated that many countries are more willing to host him than the current leadership, which has kept him in detention for over seven years, even after the judicial and prosecutorial proceedings have stopped. Al-Amin questioned the reasons for continuing to detain al-Bashir after he turned 80 and his health condition deteriorated.
Key points
- Several countries have expressed readiness to host and treat Omar al-Bashir.
- Al-Bashir's lawyer, Mohamed Hassan al-Amin, emphasizes that his client's travel for medical treatment abroad is an urgent necessity.
- The case related to the 30 June 1989 coup against al-Bashir has been suspended.
