Journalist Mayah Al-Nil Mubarak was arrested by members of the General Intelligence Service in Jabal Awliya locality, Khartoum State, on 28 March 2026. Al-Nil Mubarak was arrested while performing her journalistic duties covering examinations for middle school students in the area. She was subjected to a physical search, and search of her mobile phone and personal belongings. The General Intelligence Service held her in custody for 12 hours. Al-Nil Mubara was accused of taking photographs allegedly to collect coordinates, and of forging her press card. A case was filed against her on charges of impersonating a journalist, despite her possession of an official press card.
The interrogation included questions about her private life, such as her tribal affiliation and reasons for divorce: a clear violation of her privacy and rights. The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate considered these actions a blatant abuse of power and a serious violation of constitutional and professional rights. The Syndicate has called for an urgent and transparent investigation and accountability for those responsible, respect for the press card as an official professional document, a ban on searching journalists’ personal devices except by judicial order, and adherence by security agencies to human rights standards and respect for journalists’ privacy.