2 2.1 SECTION TWO: THE INCIDENTS Arbitrary arrests Arrests 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 South Kordufan Blue Nile IDPs The report cases of arrest in South Kordufan, Blue Nile State and among IDPs South Kordufan 2.1.1 SAF arrested two family members in Talodi On 6th and 12th January 2024, Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers arrested two family members in Talodi under circumstances relating to Altegola Goldmine. One was arrested for claiming ownership of a well in the goldmine and another was arrested for attempting to visit the detained relative. On 6th January 2024, SAF soldiers arrested Mr. Hassan Adam Abker from Altegola Goldmine. This was after the dispute of ownership of well/ borehole between SAF officer and Mr. Hassan Adam Abker. The SAF officer claimed to own the well which belonged to the victim. The following day (7th January 2024) Mr. Hassan was released on condition that he has to accept that his goldmine (well) belonged to the SAF officer. After his release, he refused and insisted that the well is his. On 8th January 2024, he was arrested again and held incommunicado at Talodi SAF garrison. On 12th January 2024, Mr. Ali Jibril (Hassan’s cousin) came to visit Hassan but, he was arrested on arrival at the Talodi military garrison. The two were later released on condition that they do not claim the ownership of the goldmine (well) again. An activist from Talodi said that; “SAF soldiers usually intimidate civilians particularly those who are successful with business at the goldmines like traders, jewellers and the well owners. They threaten to arrest them and sometimes they arrest them and ask for ransom 6