Port Sudan, July 13 (Darfur24)
A court in eastern Sudan on Sunday sentenced Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, to death in absentia for the killing of former West Darfur Governor Khamis Abdullah Abkar.
The Anti-Terrorism and Crimes Against the State Court in Port Sudan also sentenced Hemedti’s brother, Abdul Rahim Dagalo, and several other defendants to death by hanging.
Judge Ahmed Mohammed Ali said the defendants were convicted of crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide and the killing of Governor Khamis Abdullah Abkar.
The court also sentenced RSF procurement official Hamdan Dagalo and other defendants, including Abdel Moneim Al-Rabee, to death.
Abkar was killed on June 14, 2023, shortly after he was detained by RSF fighters during the outbreak of fighting in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur. His killing came after a video circulated on social media showing him in RSF custody.
The ruling marks the first court judgment against Hemedti since the war between the Sudanese army and the RSF began in April 2023.
The court also ordered the confiscation of RSF assets in favor of the Sudanese government and directed authorities to coordinate with Interpol to seek the arrest and surrender of those convicted.