UPDATE – Sudan's Bashir appears in court for corruption trial

UPDATES WITH DETAILS

By Mohamed Amin

KHARTOUM (AA) – Sudan's deposed President Omar al-Bashir appeared in court on Monday on charges of corruption.

In a trial session held in the capital Khartoum amid tight security conditions, the 75-year-old faces charges of corruption and possession of foreign currency and receiving gifts illegally.

Speaking during the court session, Sudanese investigator Ahmed Ali said the former leader had admitted receiving $90 million from Saudi Arabia.

"Al-Bashir has admitted receiving $25 million from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and $65 million from former King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz," he said.

The investigator said that al-Bashir had also got in hand $1 million from United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Khalifa bin Zayed.

Al-Bashir had been scheduled to appear in court last week, but the trial was postponed due to the signing of a power-sharing deal between the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) and opposition Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) alliance.

The court adjourned the trial to next Saturday.

Al-Bashir was removed from power by the military in April after months of popular protests against his 30-year rule.

After his overthrow, Sudanese authorities seized around 7 million euros, $351,000 and 5 million Sudanese pound in al-Bashir's home.

Ever since his ouster, al-Bashir has been held in the Kober prison in Khartoum.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara