PORT SUDAN – The Emergency Lawyers have called on Port Sudan de facto authorities to reopen the investigation into the death of citizen Maaz Abu Suwar al-Sheikh Awouda, who died while in police custody in Port Sudan in August 2024. The group also urged the office of the Attorney General to review its decision to close the case and to allow the victim’s family and legal representatives full access to the investigation findings.
In a statement issued on Thursday, 9 October 2025, and seen by Sudans Post, the Emergency Lawyers said that Abu Suwar died on 12 August 2024 inside a police detention cell after being held for eleven days in “inhumane conditions,” despite a prior order from the prosecutor instructing police to drop the charges and release him.
According to the group, Abu Suwar was arrested on 1 August 2024 as part of a campaign led by the Port Sudan Security Cell. He was detained along with several other citizens following a complaint filed by a police security officer holding the rank of lieutenant.
“After his arrest, he was placed in solitary confinement at the Security Police headquarters for an entire day before being transferred to Port Sudan Central Police Station,” the statement said. “There, a criminal case was opened against him under articles related to fraud, bribery, and abuse of office, even though he was a civilian, not a public employee.”
In August 2024, the prosecutor issued a decision to drop the charges and release Abu Suwar upon a request from his lawyer. However, the decision was never implemented, the police continued to detain him without legal grounds, the group said.
The Emergency Lawyers added that police later accused Abu Suwar of violating the passport and immigration law, alleging forgery of travel visas. Despite the new charge being minor and legally eligible for release on bail, authorities refused to grant it and imposed restrictive conditions.
The statement detailed that Abu Suwar’s health deteriorated severely during his detention. He was allegedly deprived of adequate food and water and repeatedly complained of exhaustion and illness. “Despite his repeated pleas for action to be taken to transfer him to a hospital or release him,” the group said. “The prosecution instead continued to extend his detention without referring him to court.”
In the early hours of 12 August 2024, Abu Suwar reportedly fell into a coma inside the detention cell. He was rushed to Port Sudan Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2 P.M. The medical report confirmed he arrived in a deep coma with a consciousness level of three out of fifteen.
An autopsy revealed bleeding in the lungs and enlargement of the heart, liver, and kidneys. The group described it as evidence of “gross medical negligence or possible torture” during detention.
Following the death, Abu Suwar’s family and lawyers submitted a formal request to the Attorney General to investigate the circumstances of his death. A committee was formed, but later decided to close the case, citing “no legal violations.” The family and lawyers were never officially notified of the decision despite repeated requests for access.
The Emergency Lawyers condemned the decision, saying the case represents ” a grave violation of the right to life and human dignity” and exposes the “encroachment of security agencies on the powers of the prosecution.” The group demanded accountability for those involved in the unlawful detention and medical neglect that led to his death and called for safeguarding the independence of the prosecution from security interference.
It warned that continued impunity in cases of deaths in custody “undermines public trust in the justice system and erodes what remains of the rule of law.” The group also appealed to national and international human rights bodies to follow up on the case and ensure justice for Abu Suwar’s family.
