Arrested Sudanese students released [Archives:2004/700/Local News]

Mohammed bin Sallam
Yemeni security forces have released last Saturday nine of the members of the Sudanese Cultural Society after detaining them for three days. The students were arrested last Wednesday in front of the a cafe in Sanaa as they were about to celebrate the new year 2004.
The members had been at the cafe in response to an invitation presented by the society to its members and friends to attend New Year celebrations at the Zayzafoon cafe.
One of the members, who refused to give his name, told Yemen Times that “the arrest has resulted in anger and disappointment among Sudanese families, especially as they were preparing for a night of happiness and joy.”
“Our students have never carried out any political activity either against the Sudanese regime or the Yemeni government. They were not even involved in the recent activities concerning student unions.” he added.
The society had demanded the immediate release of the arrested Sudanese students, which are believed to have fallen victims to “unjust rumors spread by some who want to politicize the status of those students.”
A source at the society told Yemen Times that security forces were taken into believing a false accusation and acted based on that information.
The society is known to be an active organization in tackling issues related to Sudanese students studying in Yemeni universities.
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