Fed: Aussie facing possible death sentence in Sudan

AAP General News (Australia)
04-25-2007
Fed: Aussie facing possible death sentence in Sudan

By Peter Veness

CANBERRA, April 25 AAP - Australian officials are desperately seeking access to a Brisbane
man detained in Sudan and facing a possible death sentence.

With Sudan wracked by violence, Australian officials have had trouble reaching George
Forbes, 45, since he was detained last month.

This week he was charged with murder and failing to prevent a suicide following the
death of a Ukrainian national, Mykola Serebrenikov.

Mr Forbes and five other workers from Trax International Construction were arrested
after a Ukrainian engineer was found hanged in a bathroom at Trax's compound in the Southern
Sudan capital, Rumbek.

An autopsy revealed suicide as the cause, but the men have remained in custody for
the past six weeks.

Murder is punishable by death under the Southern Sudan government, which was granted
autonomy but not independence by Khartoum under the 2005 Naivasha Agreement.

"We are aware that an Australian man working for a private Kenyan company in Southern
Sudan has been charged with murder and several other offences," a Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade spokesman told AAP tonight.

It was not immediately clear if there are more charges on Mr Forbes beyond the two already known.

"The man was taken from court to prison, but efforts are under way to have him released
on medical grounds," the spokesman said.

It is understood Mr Forbes is suffering from a kidney-related illness.

In an email sent earlier this month, Mr Forbes said his health was deteriorating, but
he had not been given access to medical help.

"Australia does not have an embassy in Sudan but the British consul from Juba in Southern
Sudan was present in court on Australia's behalf," the spokesman said.

A team of Australian diplomats has been working to free Mr Forbes.

"The man has previously been the subject of vigorous and ongoing representations to
local authorities, including the South Sudanese Minister of the Interior, by our high
commission in Nairobi and the ambassador in Cairo as to his legal status and state of
health," the spokesman said.

"We continue to closely monitor the man's health and legal situation, including by
a consular visit from the nearest Australian post, the High Commission in Nairobi."

But the spokesman warned the visit could take "some time to arrange" given the difficulties
of travelling in Sudan.

Mr Forbes was born in Kenya but migrated to Australia 20 years ago and had been living
in Brisbane.

AAP pv/jl/bwl

KEYWORD: FORBES NIGHTLEAD

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.