This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
On August 31, 2019, a Sudanese court charged ousted president Omar al-Bashir with illegal acquisition and use of foreign funds, offences that could put him behind bars for a decade.
According to Judge Al-Sadiq Abdelrahman, foreign funds of multiple currencies were found at Bashir's home, including 6.9 million euros, $351,770, and 5.7 million Sudanese pounds.
Authorities had seized these funds, which Bashir admitted to receiving as donations from Saudi royals, including the equivalent of $25 million from Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.
"My office manager... received a call from the office of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman saying he has a 'message' that will be sent on a private jet," Bashir said during the trial.
"We were told that the crown prince did not want his name to appear (linked to the transaction)... and if the funds were deposited with Sudan's bank or the finance ministry, the source would have to be identified," he added.
Bashir's defence lawyer, Hashem Abu Bakr, said his client was "not guilty" and that witnesses would be brought to court.
The trial was adjourned until September 7, 2019.
