Sudan’s Bashir charged on corruption in first public appearance since removal

Sudan’s ousted leader Omar Al-Bashir was charged with corruption on Sunday, minutes after he appeared in public for the first time since he was removed from office.

The former president was driven to the prosecutor’s office in Khartoum then walked briskly into the building, smiling and speaking with the guards escorting him.

Later he walked out scowling after prosecutors read out the charges he faces — money laundering and the illegal possession of large amounts of foreign currency. Bashir is also accused of accepting unauthorized gifts.

The charges relate in part to several million dollars worth of cash in US dollars, euros and Sudanese pounds found in Bashir’s home a week after the military ousted him on April 11 following weeks of protests against his 30-year rule.

Meanwhile, the deputy head of Sudan’s ruling military council said demands from protest leaders for immediate civilian government may not be acceptable.

Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, said a transitional administration with a majority of protest movement leaders would be a problem because it would not come as a result of elections.

“Our problem is a non-elected legislative body that would root out all of us,” he said.