On December 20, 2018, Abo Zar Youssef was leaving his grandfather’s house in Al Qadarif when he was shot in his head by members of the NISS, who were wearing balaclavas.

Youssef was brought to hospital immediately, and transferred to Fedail Hospital in Khartoum on December 21, where he stayed for four days in intensive care. Youssef died at Fedail Hospital on December 25.

The public prosecutor opened a case into the killing of Youssef, but no official accusation against any suspects has been issued to date, and the family has not been informed of any further steps taken in the investigation nor of any measures taken to interrogate suspects.

The use of force resulting in the death of Youssef is part of the violent crackdown on the nationwide protests that have been taking place in Sudan since mid-December 2018.