Court hears of Bashir millions

Omar al-bashir, the ousted dictator of Sudan, was given US$90 million (NZ$140M) by senior Saudi royals before he was overthrown, investigators said at the start of his corruption trial.

Four months after being forced from power, the 75-year-old sat in a metal cage as prosecutors of the state he once ruled levelled accusations against him.

The scene in the Khartoum courtroom illustrated how quickly he had fallen, going from Sudan’s all-powerful leader of 30 years to a defendant in a simple white robe and turban.

Bashir is charged with illicit possession of foreign currency and accepting gifts through unofficial channels.

Ahmed Ali Mohamed, a police detective, told the court that Bashir had admitted to receiving US$25 million from Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful crown prince of Saudi Arabia, and US$65 million from King Abdullah, who died in 2015. He said Bashir claimed to have given the money away in donations but gave no details.

Police reportedly found US$6 million, along with US$351,000 and around 5 million Sudanese pounds in cash in Bashir’s home.

Ahmed Ibrahim, his lawyer, rejected the allegations against the former president and said it was not unusual for ‘‘anyone in his occupation to have foreign currency, and it was in a room attached to his office in his presidential residence’’.

‘‘There is no information or evidence with regards to the accusations of illicit gains,’’ he added.

In Sudan, GDP per capita is only around US$4600.

Bashir spoke to confirm his name and age and laughed bitterly when asked about his home address.

‘‘Formerly the airport district, at army headquarters but now Kobar prison,’’ he said, referring to a prison where he once jailed political opponents but is now being held himself.

Members of his family were allowed into the heavily-guarded courtroom and shouted ‘‘Allahu akbar’’ (God is great) as he was brought in. Bashir raised his hand in acknowledgement.

There was no immediate comment from the Saudi government on the claim that Saudi royals had given him money. Saudi Arabia was a staunch supporter of Bashir’s regime, even at the time of widespread protests that led to his downfall.

During the revolution earlier this year, the US grew frustrated with Saudi Arabia’s support for Bashir, believing its backing was emboldening the faltering dictator to use violence against civilian demonstrators.

Meanwhile, Sudan’s postrevolution politics continued to make halting progress towards civilian rule.

The military council which has been ruling the country since April signed a deal with protest leaders on Sunday to create a new body that would lead the country for the next three years until elections can be held. The 11-member sovereign council, will include five military officials and five civilians as well as an independent member.

However, the military said yesterday that the protesters had asked for a delay in the council’s announcement while they decided among themselves who would be their representatives.

The military initially resisted a power-sharing agreement but came under intense pressure from both the US and Gulf Arab states to reach an accommodation with the protesters.

A deal was reached after negotiations brokered by Ethiopia, the African Union and Western states.

– Telegraph Group