Sudanese judicial commission calls for releasing Hassan al-Turabi

Sudanese sources said that governmental human rights group has called for the release of the Islamic leader Sheikh Hassan al-Turabi who was once a close associate to the Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

This call, however, came following the recent release of 32 political detainees, including among them 13 members of the People's Party which is headed by Turabi.

The sources explained that the official spokesman for the consultation council of human rights, al-Tayeb Haroun, said that the council asked in its meeting yesterday for releasing Turabi and other 8 detainees. The council did not give the name of the 8 detainees. But Muhammad Elamine Khaleifa, Turabi's assistant said that they are members in the People's Congress party.

Al-Turabi, one of the remarkable figures in the government which was formed by al-Bashir following the coupe of 1989 was arrested in February 2001 over differences with the president said to be a conflict over power.

Al-Turabi's detention was made after his party ( the opposition People's Congress) had signed a controversial agreement with the rebels of south Sudan.