Sudan's Bashir jailed for two years for corruption

KHARTOUM

A Sudanese court on Saturday sentenced former President Omar al-Bashir to two years in prison for corruption.

The court in Khartoum found al-Bashir, 75, guilty of corruption and illicit possession of foreign currency and sent him to a social welfare facility to spend his sentence.

Supporters of the former president disrupted proceeding by chanting slogans during the trial, prompting the judge to remove them from the court session.

Al-Bashir's defense team rejected the verdict, describing it as "politically driven". Ibrahim Altahir, the head of al-Bashir's defense team, said he will appeal the verdict within 15 days.

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

After his overthrow, authorities seized 7 million euros, $351,000 and 5 million Sudanese pounds from his home.

Prosecutors had accused al-Bashir of corruption, possession of foreign currency and receiving gifts illegally.