Sudan Lifts Gosh's Parliamentary Immunity Over Foiled Coup

Salah Gosh, the former intelligence director for the Republic of Sudan, had his parliamentary immunity lifted. He has been detained for investigation in an apparent plot against the NCP government., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Sudan lifts Gosh’s parliamentary immunity over foiled coup

November 23, 2012 (KHARTOUIM) —The National Assembly has lifted parliamentary immunity of Salah Gosh who is arrested since several days after reports of a foiled attempt to topple the regime he is accused of being one of its instigators.

Al-Fadil Haj Suleiman head of Legislation and Justice committee in the Sudanese parliament said the speaker, in accordance with article 92 of the Interim Constitution of 2005 and article 27-1 of the National Assembly, decided to lift the immunity of MP Salah Gosh on Thursday.

The pointed out that the decision was taken upon a request filed by the security service accusing Gosh of being involved in military coup violating the national legislations.

He further added that Gosh might lose his parliamentary membership if the court finds him guilty.

Sudanese government arrested 13 military high ranking officers and former officials all are members of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) or the opposition Popular Congress Party of Hassan Al-Turabi.

All, they are frustrated by the current regime for different reasons including corruption, non - implementation of the Islamic law, division of the Islamic movement, power struggle or personal ambitions.

Gosh is accused of coordinating the coup against the regime and holding contacts with Western countries to support his move.

Ghazi Salah Al-Deen, head of NCP block at the parliament and defeated candidate for the leadership of the Islamic Movement was also summoned by the security service for his "suspected" contacts with the "plotters".

The former Mujahideen who participated in the war against the former Southern Sudanese rebels launched a petition demanding the release of detained officers who are identified as radical Islamists.

Different Islamic trends within or outside the ruling party inspired by the Arab Spring demanded since several months to reform the party and to exclude what they term “corrupt” people but also back the implementation of Islamic law.