in december of 2014, after returning from the signing of the sudan call held in addis ababa, dr. medani was arrested when a large number of personnel from the sudanese national intelligence and security services (niss), arrived at his home in khartoum just before midnight on saturday, 6 december. although his family was not informed of the reasons for the arrest, it is believed he was arrested for signing the “sudan call” on behalf of the civil society initiative. the sudan call is a statement signed by representatives from political and armed opposition parties, to work towards the ending of the conflicts in sudan in darfur, south kordofan and blue nile and build a foundation for a lasting democracy based on equal citizenship and comprehensive peace. he had been held incommunicado in an unknown location until the 21st of december, 2014, when dr. medani was transferred to kober prison in khartoum. on the 22nd of december, dr. medani was finally permitted to meet with his lawyers and two days later with his family. on january 10, 2015 he was charged under article 50 (undermining the constitutional system) and article 51 (waging war against the state) in the 1991 criminal code. his trial before a special court created under the 1991 anti-terror law started on february 23. he was released five months later on april 9, 2015.