A Sudanese mother already serving a prison sentence for publicly criticising the handling of her daughter’s gang-rape case has appeared before a court in Sennar on fresh charges brought by the judge who originally presided over the rape trial.
Hawa Omar Osman Saleh, widely known as “Um al-Adra,” appeared before Sennar Criminal Court on Tuesday, November 10, in proceedings chaired by Judge Mohamed Abdel Malik, according to Radio Dabanga.
The new prosecution comes as Saleh approaches the end of a six-month prison sentence imposed following her criticism of the judicial proceedings. She was also ordered to pay a fine of five billion Sudanese pounds, which her family says it cannot afford.
The latest 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.
The provisions carry potential penalties of imprisonment, fines or both.
The court has scheduled November 26 to continue hearing prosecution witnesses.
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.
The perpetrators were convicted, but the initial sentences, which included relatively short prison terms and flogging, sparked outrage among the victim’s relatives.
Saleh subsequently appeared in a video circulated on social media criticising the judgment and accusing the judicial system of failing her daughter.
Her public remarks triggered legal complaints, 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.
According to Saleh’s family, the Supreme Court had ordered the appeals judge to impose life sentences, effectively supporting the mother’s objections to the initial ruling.
Judge transferred as new proceedings continue
A family member told Radio Dabanga that Judge Rahma, who brought the latest complaint against Saleh, had since been transferred to El Obeid and no longer attended hearings in Sennar.
The relative alleged that Rahma had authorised the investigator handling the complaint, who is also listed as a witness, to represent him during court proceedings.
The family previously questioned the fairness of the prosecution, alleging that the judge who brought the complaint had acted as both complainant and witness.
Relatives also disputed allegations that a lawyer assisting Saleh had encouraged her to publish the original video.
Release approaching amid fresh legal threat
Saleh is expected to complete her existing prison sentence later this month, according to her family, but the latest prosecution could expose her to further imprisonment if she is convicted.
Her relatives previously submitted a clemency petition requesting the cancellation of the five-billion-pound fine because of her financial circumstances.
The family said it had received no response to the petition.
The renewed proceedings have added to the legal pressure facing Saleh, whose imprisonment followed her public challenge to the original sentencing of the men convicted of raping her daughter.
The case is scheduled to resume on November 26, when the court is expected to continue hearing prosecution witnesses.
