KHARTOUM 18 Aug (ANA) - Omar al-Bashir, the former president of Sudan, will appear in court on Mondayfor the first day of a high-profile corruption trial that could end in the deposed autocratic ruler being jailed for many years.

Bashir was forced out of power in April when security forces withdrew their support for his regime after months of popular protests. He is now in prison and will be charged with possessing foreign currency, corruption and receiving gifts illegally.

Pro-democracy campaigners and victims of systematic human rights abuses under Bashir’s 30-year rule hope the 75-year-old former dictator will also face further charges of incitement and involvement in the killing of protesters.

The trial comes as Sudan’s military rulers and protest leaders begin to implement a landmark deal reached earlier this month that is meant to pave the way for civilian rule.

The deal between the country’s military rulers and the opposition coalition of the Alliance for Freedom and Change was welcomed with relief by both sides, with protesters celebrating what they saw as the victory of their “revolution” and generals taking credit for averting a bloody civil war.(ANA)

FA/ANA/18 August 2019-----