Security forces in East Darfur detained 24 Maaliya leaders on Friday, and sentenced them to imprisonment under the Emergency Law. Last week, lawyers in Khartoum formed a defence team for the 23 Rizeigat omdas who were convicted and sent to prisons in Port Sudan.

After the deputy chief of the Maaliya, 10 omdas, and 13 other tribesmen were convicted to six-month imprisonment under the Emergency Law in Ed Daein, capital of East Darfur, they were transported to the Kober Prison in Khartoum.