Islamists Triumph Through Judicial Acquittals Over Their Rivals’ Intimidation
By Mohamed Osman Awadallah
No case filed by the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) has ever reached a final verdict without ending in a complete acquittal for the Islamists. Each time, the Islamists have won in court, while the FFC has lost in the court of public opinion—suffering disappointment, division, loss of credibility, and exposure for their overreach into the Public Prosecution Service. What followed were deep internal rifts, mutual accusations, fragmentation, and confusion—so much so that some turned against their own allies, others resorted to absurd public outbursts, while many fled or sought protection under the military’s wing.
Below is a list of some of the most notable acquittals:
Heroes of the Petroleum Development Project, who spent four years unjustly imprisoned:
1. Eng. Salah Hassan Wahbi
2. Dr. Abdul Rahman Osman
3. Dr. Omar Mohamed Khair
4. Judge Muna Ahmed Yaseen
5. Asim Omar Mohamed
6. Ali Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir
7. The late Zubeir Ahmed Al-Hassan
Victims of Defamation and Hate Speech, who endured three years behind bars:
1. Kamal Abdel-Latif
2. The late Dr. Al-Sharif Omar Badr (the “Heathrow martyr”)
3. Al-Obeid Fadl Al-Moula
Dr. Awad Al-Jaz — acquitted of all charges related to the “Mishkoor Sugar” case and others.
Sheikh Ali Osman Mohamed Taha — cleared of all charges concerning the “Humanitarian Aid Organization” case.
The late Dr. Abdullah Al-Bashir — acquitted posthumously, along with four others, in the “Shawaheq” case.
The late Osman Musa Ashbadin, Director of Accounts at the Sea Ports Corporation — cleared after his death.
Eng. Jaafar Ali Al-Bashir, Director of the Electricity Transmission Company — acquitted.
Yusuf Kibir, former Vice President and Governor — acquitted of all politically motivated charges.
Eng. Abdul Basit Hamza — cleared of all fabricated allegations.
Governor of Sennar and six officials, including the State Finance Minister — acquitted in the “Kanaaf Abu Na’am” project case.
Governor Adam Al-Faki Al-Tayeb — acquitted.
Former Finance Minister Ali Mahmoud — acquitted in the “River Transport Privatization” case.
All civil servants dismissed by the Empowerment Removal Committee were reinstated after the judiciary declared them innocent of the charges that had cost them their jobs—though dozens died before the rulings were issued.
The most glaring example of political manipulation was the fabricated case against Prof. Ibrahim Ghandour and others, where prosecutors ultimately admitted there was no evidence, despite earlier written claims of “weapons seizures” to justify the arrests.
Those acquitted include:
1. Prof. Ibrahim Ghandour — dubbed the “sage of Sudanese politics.”
2. Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Jazouli — “the lion of Sudanese politics.”
3. Anas Omar — known for his defiance.
4. Haj Majid Mohamed Ahmed — memorizer of the Qur’an and champion of martyrs’ legacy.
5. Sheikh Kamal Ibrahim.
6. Youth activists: Muammar Musa, Michael Boutros, Rashid Taj Al-Sir, Hamid Abdul Rahman, Hassan Osman Hassan, Jumaa Arees, and Adel Yousif Al-Samani.
As for the alleged execution of 28 officers during the 1991 Ramadan coup, despite years of public accusations, dramatized accounts, and the politicization of military records by the Empowerment Committee’s prosecution, the investigation—launched under Attorney General Taj Al-Sir Al-Hibir—has produced no trial or evidence after three years of detaining five senior officers without charge.
Ultimately, during the entire transitional period, the FFC achieved little beyond political intimidation and hate speech. They lost every legal battle, their strategies were exposed, and their credibility and dignity eroded. While FFC leaders weaponized state institutions for revenge and repression—filing up to 16 politically motivated complaints against individuals and detaining them for up to four years—Islamist leaders chose to seek justice through the courts and truth through public opinion. Their patience, in the end, delivered them victory and complete acquittal.
