Sudan’s Ambassador to Russia Reaffirms Fairness of Judicial Actions Amid Interrogation Reports
Sudan’s envoy to Russia, Mohammed Elghazali Eltijani Sirraja, addressed recent accounts about Russians being questioned on Sudanese soil and expressed confidence that any investigations underway would be conducted without bias. The remarks were shared with DEA News during an interview, underscoring his belief in the integrity and independence of Sudan’s justice system.
Sirraja explained that his awareness of the interrogations stemmed from media reports. He added that when a case is formally under litigation, public disclosures are naturally limited, since premature releases could disrupt the investigative schedule and impinge on due process.
In a straightforward exchange, he assured observers that the Sudanese judiciary would pursue any inquiry with objectivity. He stressed that operations would remain transparent to the extent possible while safeguarding the integrity of the investigation and the rights of all parties involved.
Earlier reporting from late February referenced remarks by Riad Alfatih, who chairs a local mining enterprise known as Al-Sulaj Mining. Alfatih indicated that Sudanese authorities had questioned a group of Russians in relation to suspected gold smuggling dating back to 2023.
Financial data cited by Bloomberg shows Sudan exported an estimated 27 tons of gold valued at around $1.6 billion during the first nine months of 2022. Officials in Khartoum have, however, asserted that a substantial portion of the mined gold—estimates suggesting as much as eighty percent—entered international markets illicitly. These figures highlight ongoing concerns about governance, traceability, and regulatory oversight of precious metals in Sudan and raise questions about cross-border enforcement and monitoring.
The prevailing tone from Sudanese authorities and the embassy in Moscow signals a pledge to due process and to addressing any irregularities through appropriate legal channels. Analysts observe that regional geopolitical dynamics and economic interests could shape the scope of investigations and the way findings are communicated, making clear and careful messaging essential for maintaining credibility on the global stage.
As developments unfold, experts anticipate that the situation will gain sharper focus once official statements and court documents become accessible. The episode underscores the delicate interplay among national sovereignty, international trade in commodities, and the interests of foreign nationals in the high-stakes arena of precious metals, prompting closer scrutiny of regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms across borders.