Mon 19 August 2019:
Sudan’s former President Omar al-Bashir, who ruled the country for 30 years, has appeared in a Khartoum court for the start of his trial on corruption charges.
An investigator told the court al-Bashir has admitted to receiving $90m in cash from Saudi royals.
Police Brigadier Ahmed Ali said at the opening of the trial that the former president told him that the latest payment was “delivered by some of Mohammed bin Salman’s envoys”.
The police investigator told the court that nearly seven million euros ($7.8m) were found at al-Bashir’s residence, as well as smaller amounts in US dollars and Sudanese pounds.
“The accused told us that the money was part of a sum of $25 million sent to him by Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be used outside of the state budget,” Ali said.
The investigator said al-Bashir had said he also received two previous payments of $35m and $30m from Saudi’s King Abdullah, who died in 2015.
Bashir, who was ousted and detained in April, is facing charges of illicit possession of foreign currency and accepting gifts in an unofficial manner.
The detective told the court Bashir had made the statement about the money as he was questioned by investigators after his detention.
Bashir – who was in a cage in the courtroom, dressed in traditional white robes and a turban – listened to the testimony but did not comment.
The next session of the trial is scheduled for Saturday.
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