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Arrests made over Sudan beheading Arrests made over Sudan beheading
(about 1 hour later)
Sudanese police say they have made several arrests in connection with the beheading of a Sudanese newspaper editor, who had angered Islamists.Sudanese police say they have made several arrests in connection with the beheading of a Sudanese newspaper editor, who had angered Islamists.
However, police say they have not found the motive for the killing of Mohammed Taha, who was buried on Thursday.However, police say they have not found the motive for the killing of Mohammed Taha, who was buried on Thursday.
Last year, he was put on trial for blasphemy after his al-Wifaq paper reprinted an article questioning the parentage of the prophet Muhammad.Last year, he was put on trial for blasphemy after his al-Wifaq paper reprinted an article questioning the parentage of the prophet Muhammad.
The charges were later dropped but he could have faced the death penalty.The charges were later dropped but he could have faced the death penalty.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says no-one has claimed responsibility but suspicion will immediately turn to Sudan's hardline Islamic groups.The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says no-one has claimed responsibility but suspicion will immediately turn to Sudan's hardline Islamic groups.
'Cowardly murder''Cowardly murder'
The state-owned Sudan Vision newspaper was printed in black and white on Thursday out of respect for Mr Taha's funeral, reports Reuters news agency.The state-owned Sudan Vision newspaper was printed in black and white on Thursday out of respect for Mr Taha's funeral, reports Reuters news agency.
"Something must be done before the abduction phenomenon develops into a practice," it warned."Something must be done before the abduction phenomenon develops into a practice," it warned.
In May last year, thousands of people demonstrated outside a courtroom in central Khartoum calling for Mr Taha to be put to death. Last year protesters clashed with police at Mr Taha's trialIn May last year, thousands of people demonstrated outside a courtroom in central Khartoum calling for Mr Taha to be put to death.
After several emotionally charged days the case was adjourned and later quietly dropped.After several emotionally charged days the case was adjourned and later quietly dropped.
He was also the target of an assassination attempt in 2000, after writing an article which criticised the ruling National Congress Party.He was also the target of an assassination attempt in 2000, after writing an article which criticised the ruling National Congress Party.
Media freedom lobby group Reporters Without Borders condemned the kidnapping and "cowardly murder" of Mr Taha.Media freedom lobby group Reporters Without Borders condemned the kidnapping and "cowardly murder" of Mr Taha.
It urged Sudanese authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.It urged Sudanese authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Our correspondent says the killing of Mr Taha, an ally of Khartoum's Islamist government, will raise fears that extremist groups are once again active in Sudan.Our correspondent says the killing of Mr Taha, an ally of Khartoum's Islamist government, will raise fears that extremist groups are once again active in Sudan.
Sudan provided a home for al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the 1990s and the country is still on the United States' list of states sponsoring terrorism.Sudan provided a home for al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the 1990s and the country is still on the United States' list of states sponsoring terrorism.
Khartoum has been governed by strict Islamic Sharia law since 1983 - but our correspondent says that in recent years courts have shown a degree of flexibility in their interpretations of Islamic law.Khartoum has been governed by strict Islamic Sharia law since 1983 - but our correspondent says that in recent years courts have shown a degree of flexibility in their interpretations of Islamic law.