HUDO Centre Date: 27th June 2021 No. H.K/PS/38/021 PRESS STATEMENT TORTURE AND DETENTION OF MR. MUAAZ BYMILITARY INTELLIGENCE IN ELFAID UM-ABDALLA, SUDAN On 15th June 2021, Mr. Muaaz Hassan Daoud was arrested by MI in Elfaid Um-Abdalla. He was tortured before released on 19th June 2021. On his release, MI threatened him not to talk about his detention ordeal. The reason for his arrest was that, he had criticized MI’s conduct of confiscating goods from civilians. On 15th June 2021, Mr. Muaaz Hassan Daoud was arrested by military Intelligence (MI) soldiers in Elfaid Um-Abdalla in front the town mosque. The soldiers first beat him up before taking him away with their vehicle (Land Cruiser). Mr. Muaaz was detained in an underground cell, beaten and his hair was shaved (cut) bald. For four (4) days, he was tortured while in detention up 19th June 2021 the day he was released. He was threatened not to reveal any information about his arrest and torture and not to talk about the conduct of military intelligence. Mr. Muaaz arrest was because of criticizing military intelligence. He had earlier criticized MI for confiscating goods (commodities) from civilians under the false allegations that civilians were taking them to Sudan People Liberation Army – North (SPLA-N) territory. Mr. Muaaz Hassan Daoud Hajo (53 years old) is farmer and resident of Elfaid Um-Abdalla. Elfaid UmAbdalla is small town in Abu-Kershola locality of Nuba Mountains/ South Kordufan State. HUDO is very concerned about the situation of civilians in conflict areas and calls upon:  Sudan government to hold to account SAF commandant in Elfaid Um-Abdalla for arresting civilians, mistreating them and confiscation of personal goods/ items.  Sudan government to put an 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