On Tuesday, 21 July 2026, Sudan’s Public Prosecution Office for Information Technology Crimes in the Red Sea State issued arrest warrants against more than 47 Sudanese journalists and media professionals, including newspaper editors-in-chief, online media supervisors, and media company officials. The authorities also listed the journalists as “fugitive accused persons” and gave those named one week from the date of publication to surrender to the nearest police station to complete legal procedures related to the case.
The first batch of published notices included prominent media figures such as Mohamed Abdelgadir, former adviser to the Prime Minister and editor-in-chief of Al-Karama newspaper; Muzdalifa Mohamed Osman, editor-in-chief of Sudan Tribune; Alwaleed Fait Mohamed Ahmed, director of Noon International; and Mohamed Ahmed Khidr Tabidi, editor-in-chief of Masarib Al-Dai newspaper. Additional notices and arrest warrants are reportedly expected to be published.
The Sudanese Journalists’ Network expressed concern over the measures and emphasized the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial, legal representation, and due process. It warned against using cybercrime laws to intimidate journalists or restrict press freedom, stressing that any restrictions on freedom of expression must be lawful, necessary, proportionate, and non-arbitrary. The Network also rejected describing journalists living abroad with known locations as “fugitives” and expressed solidarity with those affected.