2.3 Observation of Court Trials/Proceedings 2.3.1 Al-Sanadra Case Background of the case On 2nd Sept 2016, Public Defense Force (PDF) soldiers attacked Al-Sanadra village of Al-Abbasiya locality in South Kordufan state. They came with more than twenty motorcycles accompanied by two land-cruiser vehicles. The attack was based on an allegation about looting of cattle where the footsteps passed through Al-Sanadra village. As a result of the attack, nine (9) people were killed, about twenty (20) wounded and some houses were looted and burnt down. Also cattle were looted and many residents of Al-Sanadra were displaced. The authorities (state/security) first ignored the case but later considered it after much pressure and outcry from the public. The case was filed at Al-Abbasiya police office. There was an attempt to conduct this court at Al-Abbasiya and then after at UmRawaba town. But the court proceedings could not take place due to tension and public anxiety. Because of insecurity, the lawyers’ of the victims (the accusing panel) requested that the court sessions should be conducted in Khartoum and it was accepted (granted). The court trials began on 20th August 2017 and since then, twenty five court sessions have been conducted(three in 2017, seventeen in 2018 and five sessions in 2019). All of those sessions were conducted at Khartoum North court. At the beginning, the presiding judge was Justice/ Abdeen Hamad Dhahi up to 26th June 2018 when he was replaced by Justice/ Murshid Ahmed Elamein. On 24th October 2018 Justice/ Murshid Ahmed Elamein was also replaced by Justice/ Atif Abdalla. This was because both Judges were promoted to the court of Appeal. Later on 3 rd July 2019, Justice/ Atif was replaced by Justice/ Osama Hassan for unknown reason. Mr. Mohamed Alsafi is the prosecutor in this case and he has been absent for most of the court sittings/sessions. The accusing panel led by Mr. Baroud Sandal consists of more than twenty five lawyers including Nuba Bar Association. The panel of lawyers for the defendants is led by Mr. Elamein Ibrahim. 22