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Sudan opens corruption probe into ousted president after discovery of stockpile of cash in his home

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Investigation has been launched into ousted President Omar al-Bashir over allegations of money laundering and possession of large sums of foreign currency without legal grounds.

A source in Sudan’s judiciary had revealed that security services, on Saturday, found suitcases loaded with more than $351,000 and €6 million, as well as 5 million Sudanese pounds after searching al-Bashir’s home.

“The chief public prosecutor . . . ordered the (former) president detained and quickly questioned in preparation to put him on trial,” the source said.

“The public prosecution will question the former president in Kobar Prison,” the source added.

A picture shared by the Netherlands-based media outlet Radio Dabanga, showed men in army uniforms standing over what appears to be several sacks full of cash.

READ ALSO: SUDAN: Ousted President al-Bashir held in solitary confinement

The money, which Radio Dabanga says was shown to reporters, was stuffed in bags designed to contain 50kg (110lbs) of grain.

On Saturday, Sudan’s attorney general said a new committee would be set up to oversee anti-corruption investigations.

But despite moves to hold Bashir and others to account, Sudan’s army does not appear to have the confidence of protesters demanding civilian rule, BBC reports.

Al-Bashir, who is also being sought by the International Criminal Court over allegations of genocide in the country’s western Darfur region, was ousted on April 11 by the military following months of protests against his rule and had been held at a presidential residence.

His family had earlier in the week said that the former president had been moved to the high-security Kobar Prison in Khartoum.

On Wednesday, Sudan’s transitional military council ordered the central bank to review financial transfers since April 1 and to seize “suspect” funds, according to state news agency SUNA.

The council also ordered the “suspension of the transfer of ownership of any shares until further notice and for any large or suspect transfers of shares or companies to be reported” to authorities.

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