Sudan arrests key opposition leader

Sudanese authorities have arrested leading opposition figure Hassan al-Turabi, who is seen as one of the most outspoken critics of the Khartoum government.

The religious leader who is also the head of the Popular Congress Party was arrested at his home late on Saturday, according to his secretary Awad Babakir.

“At around midnight (2100 GMT), a group of security officers arriving in three cars, came and took Hassan al-Turabi from his home,” he was quoted by AFP as saying.

The arrest comes a month after President Umar al-Bashir was declared the winner of the 11 April vote, which was seen as the country’s first multiparty elections in more than two decades.

Turabi refused to recognize the results of last month’s elections — which were marred by an opposition boycott, logistical problems and allegations of fraud.

He denounced the vote as rigged and said his party would not join a future government.

Turabi was not a presidential candidate and his party was represented by Abdallah Deng Nial, a Muslim from the mainly Christian south.