HUDO Centre 30th November 2018 PRESS STATEMENT (For immediate release) ARREST AND RELEASE OF TWO CIVILIANS BY MI IN BOUT/ SUDAN On different dates, Military intelligence in Bout arrested two traders with their trucks and released them after paying a fine. The reason behind their arrest was because they did not comply to pay a bribe yet, they had paid the constituted taxes. On 8th September 2018, about 07:00 AM at Bout Market, military Intelligence (MI) arrested Mr. Musa Ahmed Musa with his truck carrying harvested sorghum. He was immediately taken to the military garrison where he was beaten and detained in an iron container. On 17 th September 2018, he was released with his truck after paying a fine by his family. On 30th September 2018 around 09:00 PM at Bout entrance checkpoint, MI arrested Mr. Ahmed Ishaq Adam as he entered the town with a truck loaded with harvested sorghum. The MI sergeant seized the truck and transferred him to the military garrison where he was beaten and detained in iron container. On 3rd October 2018, he was released with his truck after paying a fine by his family. Bout is the capital city of Tadamoun locality in Blue Nile State of Sudan. Mr. Musa Ahmed Musa is 46 years old, married. Mr. Ahmed Ishaq Adam known by his nickname Abarsi, is 53 years old and married. Both Musa Ahmed and Ishaq Adam are farmers/ traders. Eyewitnesses confirmed to HUDO that, the two were arrested by MI sergeant named Muneir Abdalla Obaid and the main cause of arrest was their refusal to pay a bribe. HUDO is very concerned about the misuse of authority by MI in conflict areas and calls upon;  Sudan government should observe their soldiers and to stop the arbitrary arrests.  Sudan government should ensure the rights of free movement of citizen.  Sudan government should end the emergency status and stop MI from arresting civilians. End For further information please write to: hudo2009@gmail.com 1