The Sudanese Embassy in Tripoli Detains Activist Tupac

Moatinoon
The Sudanese Human Rights Observatory condemned the detention of activist Mohamed Adam Arbab, known as Tupac, by the Sudanese Embassy in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

The Observatory said in a statement yesterday that "Tupac" went to the embassy to obtain a passport and was subjected to violent treatment, raising serious concerns for his physical and psychological safety.

The statement indicated that Tupac had applied for asylum with the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in November 2024. He is therefore under international protection, and no party has the right to arrest him or forcibly deport him to Sudan, a country where he is likely to face persecution.

Case Background
On January 13, 2022, Sudanese police announced the stabbing death of Police Brigadier General Ali Brima during peaceful demonstrations against the October 2021 military coup near the Republican Palace in Khartoum. Charges were subsequently brought against four prominent young peaceful activists, including Mohamed Adam Arbab (Tupac).

The trials began amid widespread interest from human rights organizations and prominent lawyers representing the defendants. However, the outbreak of war in April 2023 halted these trials. Following the attack on Al-Huda Prison, all prisoners, including Tubak, were released on April 22, 2023.

However, Tubak, his family, and his lawyer later announced his willingness to surrender under fair and safe trial conditions. They expressed serious concerns about his safety in light of the threats he had previously received.

On May 16, 2023, Tubak was re-arrested in Wad Madani, along with his colleagues Ahmed Al-Fateh (Al-Nanna) and Ahmed Bushra (Katah), by a force dressed as Central Reserve Forces officers. He was subsequently released. He was re-arrested on August 13, 2023, in Atbara and transferred to Ad-Damar Prison, where he reportedly was subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including being handcuffed despite bleeding wounds.

Tupac left Sudan in search of safety and international protection, which falls within his inherent right to seek asylum under the 1951 Refugee Convention (Article 1).