HUDO Centre Date: 24th July 2022 No. H.K/PS/39/022 PRESS STATEMENT ARREST AND MISCONDUCT BY SUDAN ARMED FORCE IN TALODI, SUDAN On 5th July 2022, Mr. Mohammed Hussein together with two others were arrested by Sudan Armed Force (SAF) in Talodi. They were held incommunicado at Talodi military base up to 14th July 2022 the day of their release. However, all their money was confiscated. According to SAF interrogation, they were arrested because they were coming from SPLA-N area. On 5th July 2022,Mr. Mohammed Hussein (40 years old) together with other two goldmine workers (Mr. Wael and Mr. Ayman) travelled on motorbikes from Angarto to Altugula goldmine market with some gold for sell. On their way back after selling their gold at Altugula, five armed soldiers from Sudan Armed Force stopped them and directed them to Talodi military base. They held them incommunicado for nine (9) days.They were released on 14th July 2022 but their money (seven hundred thousand SDG= about 1300USD) was confiscated without legal order. They were ordered to leave the town immediately. A social activist in Talodi informed HUDO Centre that,”in Angarto there is gold-mining activity and the workers usually bring their product/gold for sale at Altugula goldmine market where they find many buyers (jewelers). I believe the cause of their arrest by SAF was to loot their money/cash”. Altugula goldmine and Angartu village are located in Talodi locality of South Kordufan State/ Nuba Mountains. However, Altugula is located within the government territory while Angarto is within Sudan People Liberation Army – North (SPLA-N) territory. HUDO is very concerned about the situation of civilians in conflict areas and calls upon:  Sudan Armed Force in Talodi to stop arresting civilians who are coming from SPLA-N territory.  The prosecution office in Talodi to immediately investigate about the confiscated money and it should be paid back to the victims.  The security committee in South Kordufan State to investigate the Talodi commandant for misconduct. End: For more information, please write to hudo2009@gmail.com