Nyala, February 12 (Darfur24)
Rapid Support Forces personnel in Nyala, South Darfur State, arrested pharmacist Samia Farouk Khater and two of her female colleagues last Thursday after raiding a pharmacy in the city center, according to a family member.
A relative of Samia, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Darfur24 that an RSF-affiliated security force stormed the “Silk” pharmacy in the Cinema neighborhood and transferred the three women to the “Korea” detention facility south of the city. The arrests followed their refusal to hand over the pharmacy’s contents and cash, the relative said.
She explained that Samia serves as the administrative supervisor of the “Sanaa Silk” group of pharmacies, which includes the Deer Maker pharmacy and the Silk branch in the Cinema neighborhood. According to the family, Samia declined to surrender the materials as a matter of professional responsibility, despite being shown what was described as a confiscation order. The force allegedly justified the action by claiming the pharmacy owner was hostile to the Rapid Support Forces.
The relative said Samia has now been held for six consecutive days. While family members have been permitted to visit her and inquire about the reasons for her detention, no agreement has yet been reached for her release.
In a related case, the Rapid Support Forces continue to hold Islam Ahmed Abkor in Nyala. She was arrested on December 15 at the gate of the Turkish Hospital on allegations of filming military vehicles and remains detained in the same facility.
The “Korea” detention center — the local name for Nyala prison — is reported to house hundreds of detainees, including women and children arrested from various parts of Darfur. Former detainees and police officers have described difficult humanitarian conditions inside the facility, including shortages of drinking water and food.
The Rapid Support Forces have previously denied detaining women. However, the Korea facility is reportedly used to hold female detainees, while male detainees are often transferred to Daqris prison. Complaints persist over the absence of a dedicated health center for detained women and children.