Sudanese authorities on Tuesday freed 186 detainees arrested during continued protests against the regime of president Omer Al Bashir.

In a press release issued by Sudan tribune, the Ministry of Information said the Director General of Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services, Salah Gosh, issued a decision releasing all detained protesters.

However, Sudan Tribune reported multiple sources as saying the decision does not include opposition leaders and activists.

In statements to Sudan TV broadcasted on Tuesday after the release, some detainees said Gosh met them and asked them about their personal problems and promised solution during the coming days.

Authorities have not given an accurate number of the demonstrators detained in Khartoum and various States, but human rights groups say more than thousand protesters including politicians, activists, students and journalists have been detained.

Large protests continued across the Sudan since 19 December, initially erupted over shortage of fuel and rising prices of food commodities but turned into a full-fledged protests demanding President Al Bashir to step down.

Sudanese government confirmed the death of 29 people during protests but other reliable reports including from the Amnesty International say the death toll nearly double that number.

Release of detained protesters is good as it is evidence that they commit no crime, they have just exercised a right guaranteed by the constitution. This is an opportunity to stress the importance of respect to the right to expression and peaceful assembly as that will ensure respect for the constitution and law.

Source; Sudnatribune