HUDO Centre Date: 2ndNovember 2021 No. H.K/PS/63/021 UPDATE ON ARBITRARY ARREST CAMPAIGN IN BLUE NILE STATE, SUDAN On 2nd November 2021, the court session of the five demonstrators/ students in Damazin which was earlier publicized has been adjourned to 4th November 2021. This was because of the absence of the complainant and one defendant. On 25th October 2021, a group of Sudan Armed Force (SAF) soldiers arrested five university students in Damazin market. The names of arrested students are; ELsadig Abubaker, Mohammed Jumaa Ishaq, Abduelmajid Eisa Adam, Mohammed Abdalla and Mohammed Husham Eltayeb. A case was filed against them (students) at Damazin police under article 69 of Sudan Criminal Code 1991 (disturbance of public peace). They were later released that same day on bail. They were informed to appear before court on 2nd November 2021. On 2nd November 2021, the judge (Motwakil Ibrahim) of Damazin court adjourned the court session of the five students to 4th November 2021 because the complainant and one of the defendants (Mohammed Husham Eltayeb) were absent. There was another case before the court involving a different group of protesters, they are; Shoaib Abdalla, Arbab Adam (both are traders) and Abdu-Aal Musa (student) charged under articles (69disturbance of public peace and 77- public nuisance) of Sudan Criminal Code 1991, this case was dismissed by the judge because the absence of the complainant. One of the volunteer lawyers of the accused protesters informed HUDO Centre about his appreciation towards OHCHR and its representative who attended at the court premises in Damazin. HUDO is very concerned about the situation of civilians and calls upon:  The prosecution office in Blue Nile State to stop arresting people arbitrarily and to drop cases against the peaceful protestors  The national, international organizations and UN agencies to pay attention to the conflict areas especially during this time of the military coup. End: Please access the updated statement here