July 21, 2020 (Khartoum) A new trial began on Tuesday against Omar al-Bashir and some of his former allies. They are charged with leading the 1989 military coup that put Bashir in power. If found guilty, the 76-year-old Bashir could face the death penalty.
State TV showed footage of the proceedings opening on Tuesday, but did not show images of Bashir himself. Dozens of people, mostly Bashir supporters, gathered outside the courthouse in Khartoum..
However, the court adjourned the trial until 11 August before any statements or evidence could be given.
The 76-year-old, who has already been convicted for corruption, could face the death penalty if found guilty over his role in the 1989 coup.
The defendants including former vice presidents Ali Osman Taha and Bakri Hassan Saleh were in a caged off area in the courtroom.
“This court will listen to each of them and we will give each of the 28 accused the opportunity to defend themselves,” court president Issam al-Din Mohammad Ibrahim, said.
Bashir seized power in a military coup on 30 June against the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Al-Sadig al-Mahdi.