Sudan opposition figures may be freed if they apologise: Bashir

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum on October 23, 2014. By Ashraf Shazly (AFP/File)

Khartoum (AFP) - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said on Wednesday that two opposition figures detained after they signed an agreement to form an anti-government alliance could be freed if they apologise.

"The release of Farouk Abu Issa and Amin Makki Madani depends on them apologising for the violations of the criminal law they committed," Bashir said, quoted by the official SUNA news agency.

Abu Issa and Madani were detained on December 6 after signing the agreement aimed at uniting opposition groups.

Bashir gave no further details in his comments to SUNA.

A counter-terror court started hearings into the case Monday, with a prosecutor seeking six charges against Abu Issa and Madani, five of which can incur the death penalty.

The counts include founding and running a terrorist organisation as well as inciting war against the state.

The next hearing takes place next Monday and the judge will decide whether to charge them after hearing the prosecutor's case.

Bashir made the comment to SUNA as he returned from a trip to the United Arab Emirates a day later than planned.

On Thursday he launches his campaign for legislative and presidential elections that are widely expected to extend his 25-year rule.