A Sudanese mother imprisoned after publicly criticising the handling of her daughter’s gang-rape case faces fresh criminal proceedings, just weeks before she is due to complete her current prison sentence.
Hawa Omar Osman Saleh was scheduled to appear before Sennar Criminal Court on Tuesday in a new case brought by the judge who originally presided over her daughter’s rape trial, according to Radio Dabanga.
The latest prosecution comes as Saleh serves a six-month prison sentence imposed following her public criticism of the judicial proceedings. She also faces a fine of five billion Sudanese pounds, which her family says it cannot afford.
The new complaint was filed by Judge Ismail Awad Rahma under Articles 115 and 116 of Sudan’s 1991 Criminal Act, concerning interference with judicial proceedings and insulting a public official during the administration of justice.
Each provision carries a possible penalty of up to three months in prison, a fine or both.
From seeking justice to imprisonment
The legal dispute began after Saleh’s daughter, a woman in her twenties, was gang-raped by three men in Sennar.
In December 2025, a court sentenced two of the convicted men to three years in prison each, while the third received a punishment of 100 lashes.
The sentences sparked outrage among the victim’s relatives, who argued that the punishment was excessively lenient despite forensic evidence, medical testimony and confessions presented during the proceedings.
Saleh subsequently appeared in a social media video criticising the judgment and accusing the judicial system of failing her daughter.
Her public remarks led to legal complaints against her, including proceedings initiated by a former lawyer that resulted in her current prison sentence and substantial fine.
An appeals court upheld the punishment against Saleh in August.
However, the underlying rape case subsequently took a different turn.
On September 15, the Sennar Court of Appeal sentenced all three convicted men to life imprisonment under Article 149 of Sudan’s Criminal Act, overturning the original punishments.
Family questions judicial proceedings
A family relative told Radio Dabanga that the latest proceedings raised serious concerns about fairness, alleging that the judge who brought the complaint against Saleh was acting as both complainant and witness.
The family also disputed allegations that a lawyer assisting Saleh had encouraged her to publish the original video.
Relatives said they submitted a clemency petition approximately six weeks ago, seeking the cancellation of the five-billion-pound fine because of Saleh’s financial circumstances.
They said no response had been received.
The family has appealed for public solidarity, arguing that the continued prosecution has compounded the suffering of a mother who initially sought accountability for a violent crime against her daughter.
Saleh had 19 days remaining on her existing prison sentence when the latest hearing was reported.
The outcome of Tuesday’s scheduled hearing could not immediately be independently confirmed.
