Sudan's Bashir charged on corruption in first public appearance since ouster

KHARTOUM: Sudan`s ex-president Omar al-Bashir was charged with corruption-related offences on Sunday, as he appeared in public for the first time since he was overthrown in April. Wearing traditional white robes and turban, he was driven to the prosecutor`s office in Khartoum, Reuters witnesses said.

Looking much the same as prior to his ouster, he walked briskly from the vehicle into the building, smiling and speaking with the guards escorting him. Minutes later he walked out scowling after prosecutors read out the charges he faces. "The prosecution ... accused him of ...possession of foreign currency, accepting gifts in an unofficial manner," prosecutor Alaa al-Din Abdallah told reporters.

He said Bashir was given a chance to respond to the charges. His lawyers declined to answer reporters` questions. The military overthrew and detained Bashir on April 11 after 16 weeks of street protests against his 30-year rule. He was being held in prison in Khartoum North, across the Blue Nile from the capital`s centre.