Sudan student 'dies in clashes'

A student who was beaten by police during violent anti-government demonstrations in Khartoum, Sudan's capital, has died of his wounds in Omdurman hospital, protesters have said. "Mohammed Abdulrahman, from Ahlia University, died last night in Omdurman hospital as a result of his ... wounds after he was beaten by police," said an activist who took part in Sunday's protests. "This morning (Monday) both Ahlia University and the Islamic University of Omdurman have been closed by a government decision," said the activist, speaking on condition of anonymity. Two other students said Abdulrahman had fallen during the clashes and was taken to the hospital, where medics informed them that he had died early on Monday. "Medical sources confirmed to us that the student died yesterday from his injuries inflicted by security forces," said Yasir Arman, the top official in the north of south Sudan's main party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). Arman condemned the use of force and said the students were trying to hold peaceful demonstrations. Witnesses said at least six universities in the capital and Sudan's regions were surrounded on Monday by hundreds of heavily armed police, preventing students from leaving the grounds. University students in three towns in the north tried to escape to protest but were quickly arrested or beaten back by armed police, they said.