Sudan police arrest football star turned protest activist

Sudan police arrest football star turned protest activist

Sudanese authorities have arrested a popular local footballer for taking part in nationwide protests calling for the ruling military council to cede power to civilians.
1 min read
29 July, 2019
Police have arrested thousands since the protests erupted last December [Twitter]
Sudanese authorities have arrested a popular local footballer for taking part in nationwide protests calling for the ruling military council to cede power to civilians.

Security forces arrested Saif Tere, a striker for the national team, on July 13 and have charged him with leading a criminal gang and destroying a public building during a protest.

According to media reports, the footballer has been held in poor conditions since his arrest over two weeks ago.

Protesters took to the streets of Khartoum on Saturday to demand police release the footballer, who has become a popular figure within the protests that toppled longtime leader Omar al-Bashir.

Social media users have also called for his release and said authorities have arrested Tere on trumped-up charges.

Tere, who plays for Sudan Premier League side Al-Merrikh, has been capped 16 times for the Sudanese national team.

The footballer was present at a deadly military crackdown on a protest camp in Khartoum on June 3 that left over 100 people dead and scores wounded.

Police have arrested thousands since the protests erupted last December over the tripling of bread prices and turned into a nationwide movement.

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