Sudan Embassy in London Rejects Telegraph Claims Linking Belfast Stabbing Suspect to Police Service
London – Sudanhorizon
The Embassy of Sudan in London has strongly challenged what it described as “inaccurate and unverified information” contained in a recent article published by The Telegraph concerning a Sudanese national accused of a stabbing incident in Belfast.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the embassy referred to The Telegraph article titled “Sudanese Belfast Stabbing Suspect Is Former Policeman”, published on 11 June. It said the report contained factual inaccuracies regarding the suspect’s background and family.
The embassy reiterated its condemnation of the stabbing attack, which it had previously expressed in a statement issued on 10 June, extending its sympathy to the victim and his family. It also stressed the importance of allowing legal proceedings to continue without interference from media speculation or unverified allegations.
According to the embassy, the newspaper relied heavily on information provided by an individual residing in Libya who was identified as a friend of the suspect. The embassy argued that this account contradicted details contained in an earlier Telegraph report published on 9 June, which cited the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) as stating that the suspect arrived in Belfast from Dublin in February 2023 after travelling from Paris.
“The discrepancy raises serious questions about the credibility of the source and the reliability of the narrative presented,” the embassy said.
The Sudanese mission also rejected claims that the suspect had previously served in the Sudanese Police Force or any other security institution. It stated that the individual remains registered as a student in Sudan’s Civil Registry. It noted that Sudanese law requires all police personnel to be formally registered as members of the police service.
The embassy further disputed reports about the suspect’s family background, denying claims that he was from Karima in Northern Sudan or that he belonged to a politically influential northern family.
“The family is an ordinary one with no known involvement in Sudanese politics,” the statement said.
The embassy emphasised that criminal responsibility is an individual matter and warned against associating family members with allegations against the suspect. It noted that relatives, including siblings, who reportedly reside in the United Kingdom, should not be subjected to threats, harassment, or public scrutiny because of the case.
The embassy said it had formally raised its concerns with The Telegraph and requested corrections to the article. However, it expressed regret that the newspaper had not amended the report when issuing the statement.
Concluding its remarks, the embassy warned that the spread of inaccurate information could prejudice ongoing investigations and expose innocent individuals to reputational damage, harassment and potential threats.
The Belfast stabbing case remains under investigation by the relevant UK authorities.
Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=14763