Piles of Cash Introduced as Evidence in Trial of Deposed Sudanese Despot

Prosecutors in the corruption trial of ousted Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir have showed off what they said was just some of the cash found at his residence following his April arrest. The defendant reportedly sat smiling inside a metal cage in the Khartoum courtroom on Saturday as the prosecution said that large amounts of euros and Sudanese pounds had been seized at the presidential palace. The military arrested Bashir following months of angry street protests against his autocratic 30-year-rule. However, a defense attorney insisted that while buying and selling foreign currency was indeed a crime in Sudan, mere possession was not. Last month, the ousted leader said he had received cash from Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and other foreign leaders, although none of it had been set aside for his personal use. Sudan is now being led by a joint civilian-military executive committee overseeing an appointed parliament until elections are held in another three years.