HUDO Centre 22nd October 2016 Update (7) COURT TRIAL OF NISS/SUDAN AGAINST PASTORS AND ACTIVIST The eights (8th) court proceedings started at 12:50 pm on 17 thOctober 2016 and the hearing was before Justice Dr. Osama M. Abdalla, with the presence of all parties under tight security arrangements. The prosecutor displayed audio recordings, video exhibit and submitted a translated document for both. Thereafter, the accusing panel exchange questions with the investigator. The judge later adjourned court to 24thOctober 2016. Summary of the court session The session was presided over by Justice Dr. Osama M. Abdalla at Khartoum Centre Court, and all parties were present. The investigator counsel/ Abdurrahman displayed video and audio recordings which contained the following; 1) The video showed a meeting between the first, second and third defendant at Ali Musa’s House in Alhaj Yousif. In the meeting the first defendant discussed with Ali Musa about the way he was burnt and the third defendant was interpreting. The video also shows the first defendant taking photos of the burnt student. 2) In the audio recordings, the first and the fourth defendant (Abduelmoneim) had a conversation at Afraa mall, in which Abduelmoneim explained how he together with Ali Musa converted to Christianity from Islam. Thereafter, the accusing panel exchanged with the investigator/ prosecutor through a series of questions like; Accusing panel; why did you interrogate the first (1st) defendant? Investigator: Because his first visit to Sudan in 2012 through South Sudan boarder with PPF group was illegal and they visited many areas in Nuba Mountains and they met some people including rebels. During that visit, they tried to confirm the allegation of oppression, torture and forced Islamisation of Nuba people. According to my interrogation with photo evidence, they provided logistical, physical and moral support to SPLA-N. He also submitted a report about allegations to international institutions particularly the head office of the 1 st defendant’s organization. That the 1st defendant’s second visit to Sudan, was in 2015 using tourism visa while he particularly came to investigate the issue of the demolished churches and the student who was burnt. Accusing panel: Is there any joint act between the first defendant and Brad Philips? Investigator: According to the interrogation of the first defendant I got to know the name of Steve, Brad and Marshance. The 1st defendant had also declared that, Brad is his colleague at two organizations PPF and POM. Accusing panel: While entering Sudan in 2012, what kind of vehicle did they use?