Saudis paid $90 million to Sudan's ex-leader, officer says in al-Bashir trial
Sudan’s deposed leader, Omar al-Bashir, told investigators that he had received $90 million from Saudi Arabia, a Khartoum court heard Monday during the opening of al-Bashir’s keenly anticipated trial on corruption charges.
A senior police officer testified that al-Bashir, who was ousted in April after months of street protests, had admitted to receiving part of the money from envoys sent by the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The remainder came during the reign of King Abdullah, who died in 2015.
Al-Bashir was confined to a cage and surrounded by uniformed security officials for the two-hour hearing, in a sight that few Sudanese could have imagined during al-Bashir’s 30 years in power. The former leader spoke only to confirm his name, age and residence. His lawyer dismissed the accusations.
It was a dramatic start to a trial that has come to signify the momentous changes underway in Sudan since al-Bashir was ousted in April. Many Sudanese hope to sweep away the vestiges of al-Bashir’s period of rule, when Sudan endured numerous internal revolts, became an international pariah and was subjected to U.S. sanctions. More recently the country suffered a crushing economic collapse that spurred the uprising against him.
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