KHARTOUM, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Authorities in Sudan have ordered the release of all detainees held during weeks of anti-government protests.
The release was ordered by Sudan’s intelligence and security chief, Salah Ghosh, the information ministry said in a statement. No reason was given.
“The chief of the National Intelligence and Security Service issued an order to release all detainees held in the ongoing incidents,” the statement said.
More than 1,000 people are reported to have been detained in the protests, which began in December.
Those detained included opposition leaders, activists and journalists.
Activists said the announcement came after Salah Ghosh visited a prison in Khartoum.
President Omar al-Bashir has blamed the unrest on “foreign agents” and rebel groups in the Darfur region.
Meanwhile, riot police in the capital Khartoum used tear gas to disperse dozens of demonstrators in the Burri district, witnesses said.
There were also anti-government protests in the nearby city of Omdurman and in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan.
The demonstrations started over cuts to bread and fuel subsidies, but later developed into anger at the president’s 30-year rule.
Rights groups say more than 40 people have been killed in clashes with security forces. — NNN-AGENCIES