Sudan to hang 27 intelligence agents for killing teacher during anti-Bashir protests

<p><strong>A Sudanese court on Monday sentenced 27 members of the national intelligence service to death by hanging, having found them guilty of murdering a teacher in detention in February during protests that led to the overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir.</strong></p> <p>It was the first time courts have handed down convictions over crackdowns on demonstrations in the months before and after Bashir was toppled in April.</p> <p>Thirteen defendants were sentenced to prison terms and a further four were acquitted in the verdict, which could face several stages of appeal.</p> <p>The death of teacher Ahmed al-Khair in the eastern town of Khashm al-Qirba became a rallying point during 16 weeks of protests against Bashir’s rule.</p> <p>Khair’s family said security officials initially claimed he had died of poisoning, though days later a state investigation found he had died of injuries from beating.</p> <p>Hundreds of people rallied outside the court in Omdurman where the verdict was delivered on Monday, some waving national flags or holding pictures of Khair.</p> <p><strong><em><span class="caps">REUTERS</span></em></strong></p>