Sudan releases dozens arrested over anti-austerity protests

Activists say Sudanese authorities have released dozens of people arrested for taking part in last month’s protests against rising bread prices.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

28 February, 2018

Sudanese authorities release dozens of people arrested for taking part in last month’s protests [Getty]

Activists say Sudanese authorities have released dozens of people arrested for taking part in last month’s protests against rising bread prices.

Two protesters, Imtenan Ali el-Radi and Amal Habany, say they were released on Tuesday from Kober prison, north of the capital, Khartoum.

They say several families were waiting for their loved ones in front of the prison.

Protests erupted in Khartoum and other parts of the country last month after the government slashed subsidies and devalued the local currency, measures aimed at strengthening the battered economy.

Hundreds of people were detained.

Sporadic protests have erupted since early January in Khartoum and some other parts of Sudan after the opposition and activists called for anti-government demonstrations to protest a surge in food prices.

Anti-riot police and security agents have so far swiftly managed to disperse the rallies.

Sudanese authorities are eager to prevent a repeat of deadly unrest that followed an earlier round of subsidy cuts in 2013.

Rights groups say dozens of people were killed when security forces crushed 2013 demonstrations, drawing international condemnation.