Sudan: Four Sudanese condemned for US killing

A Sudanese court has upheld a death sentence against four men convicted of murdering US diplomat John Grandville and his driver, Abdelrahman Abbas Rahama, as they returned from a New Year’s Eve party on January 1st 2008. The four men, who have been described by the prosecution as “religious extremists,” protested their innocence saying their confessions were extracted under torture, reports BBC. Under Sudan’s Islamic law, the family of a murder victim can either request the death penalty for those convicted, forgive them or ask for compensation. Mr Granville’s mother has requested the death sentence, while Mr Abbas’ family on its part has pardoned the killers.