Demonstrators chant slogans along the streets in Khartoum.
Sudan security agency frees all political detainees
Political prisoners released across the country as protesters throng Khartoum amid reports that Omar al-Bashir has been forced to step down by Sudan's military.
Thursday 11/04/2019
Demonstrators chant slogans along the streets in Khartoum.
KHARTOUM - Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Service has announced the release of all political prisoners across the country, state news agency SUNA reported on Thursday.
Shortly after the announcement, Twitter users circulated photos showing former detainees being welcomed by protesters as they joined demonstrations against Omar al-Bashir.
The announcement came as huge crowds of people thronged central Khartoum after the state television said that the army is set to make an "important announcement soon."
Sources said Bashir had been forced to step down from the presidency after three decades in power and moves were under way to form a transitional council.
One of those released was Mohammed Naji Elasam, a spokesman for the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), the main organiser of protests being held across Sudan since December, witnesses said. Elasam had been detained for more than three months.
"The National Intelligence and Security Service has announced it is releasing all political detainees across the country," SUNA said.
But in the eastern cities of Kasala and Port Sudan, protesters stormed NISS buildings after the releases failed to materialise, witnesses said.
Protesters approached the NISS building in Kasala demanding that officers free their prisoners, a witness said.
"But NISS officers fired in the air after which protesters stormed the building and looted all the equipment inside," he said.
Protesters chanting slogans against the 30-year rule of President Omar al-Bashir also stormed an NISS building in Port Sudan, a witness said.
The raids on NISS buildings came despite a call by protest organisers for demonstators to refrain from attacking government figures or buildings.
"We are calling on our people to control themselves and not to attack anybody or government and private properties," the Alliance for Freedom and Change, the umbrella group that is spearheading the protest movement, said in a statement.
"Anyone found doing this will be punished by law. Our revolution is peaceful, peaceful, peaceful."