HUDO Centre Date: 26th February 2021 No. H.K/PS/15/021 PRESS STATEMENT MILITARY DETAINED AND RELEASED MR. AWAD WITHOUT A CHARGE IN TALODI, SUDAN On 23rd February 2021, Mr. Awad Mohammed Hassan was released by SAF/ MI in Talodi, after holding him incommunicado for more than ten days. He was tortured and his belongings were confiscated. There was no case preferred against him. On 5th February 2021, Mr. Awad Mohammed Hassan came from his village Kalkada to Altugula gold mine of Talodi using his motorbike. On 12th February 2021, he was arrested by eight (8) armed soldiers of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). He had been taken to SAF Military Intelligence (MI) office within Altugula gold mine and later transferred to Talodi military base. At the military base, he was detained together with other people under very poor conditions and tortured (beaten). He was particularly interrogated under the assumption that he is a soldier from Sudan People Liberation Army – North (SPLA-N). On 23rd February 2021, he was released on condition that he should go back to his village and not to be seen in the gold mine area or within Talodi town. However, his motorbike, money (SDG 13800 = USD 50), eye classes and a silver ring were confiscated by the MI. There was no case opened against him at the police office. Mr. Awad Mohammed Hassan (27 years old) is trader and a resident of Kalkada village. Kalkada village is about 40 Km Northeast of Talodi town, within SPLA-N controlled area/territory. Talodi is the capital town of Talodi locality in South Kordufan State/ Nuba Mountains. Talodi locality has more than five (5) goldmines and Altugula is one of them. HUDO is very concerned about the situation of civilians in conflict areas and calls upon:     Sudan government (Sovereign council, prime minister and minister of defense) to hold to account SAF commandant in Talodi for civilians arrest, mistreatment and confiscation of personal belongings. Sudan government to end the state of emergency in conflict areas which enables MI to arrest civilians at will. Sudan government to respect the constitutional rights of citizens Sudan government to respect its international obligations. End: For more information, please write to hudo2009@gmail.com