Sudanese Journalist Yahya Hamad Fadlallah Dies After Torture in Army Custody

January 22, 2025 – Sudan – 

Sudanese journalist Yahya Hamad Fadlallah died on January 13, 2025, just days after being released from nearly a month-long detention by Sudanese military intelligence. His death has sparked outrage among press freedom advocates and human rights organizations, who have linked it directly to torture and medical neglect during his custody.

Fadlallah, a veteran journalist and respected voice in Khartoum Bahri, was arrested on December 11, 2024, along with his son. During his detention, he was reportedly subjected to repeated beatings and denied access to medical treatment for his diabetes, a condition that critically worsened behind bars. He was released on January 10, already in grave condition, and died three days later at Al-Naw Hospital in Omdurman.

The Committee for Justice (CFJ) documented the case and confirmed that Fadlallah’s death was caused by injuries sustained in detention and the authorities’ refusal to provide essential healthcare. The organization denounced the Sudanese military’s actions as a blatant violation of human rights and international law. It also called for an independent and transparent investigation into Fadlallah’s death and for those responsible to be held accountable.

Fadlallah’s case underscores the growing risks faced by journalists in Sudan amid an intensifying civil conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The chaotic security environment has made it increasingly dangerous for journalists to operate, particularly those critical of military actions or reporting from conflict zones.

Press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Free Press Alliance, have condemned Fadlallah’s death and urged Sudan’s transitional authorities to immediately halt the detention and abuse of journalists. They emphasize that Fadlallah’s treatment reflects a broader culture of impunity, where security forces operate without oversight and where dissenting voices are silenced through violence.

As Sudan’s conflict continues with devastating civilian tolls, Fadlallah’s death marks a grim reminder of the price journalists can pay for reporting the truth. His story amplifies urgent calls for international accountability, justice, and the protection of press freedom in one of the world’s most dangerous environments for journalists.

Reference – 

https://www.cfjustice.org/sudan-cfj-documents-death-of-journalist-yahya-fadlallah-due-to-torture-by-army-forces-and-calls-for-investigation-and-accountability/

Yahya Hamad Fadlallah dies after arrest by the Sudanese army

Sudanese journalist Yahya Hamad Fadlallah dies after army arrest