Western countries express concern over opponents detention, newspapers seizure in Sudan

Western countries on Wednesday expressed concern over measures taken by Sudanese authorities related to detention of political opponents and seizure of political newspapers.

"We are concerned about the detention, apparently without charge, of a number of political leaders either in anticipation of protests or having protested government economic moves," said a joint statement by the Troika members (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States), the European Union and Canada.

"We are also aware of Sudanese authorities seizing newspapers and engaging in other forms of censorship, allegedly for reporting on expression of political views," added the statement.

The Sudanese security authorities have recently increased pace of arrest of some politicians and confiscation of political newspapers since the government's adoption of economic measures that prompted popular discontent. Endit