Oscars film judge 'whipped' in Sudan prison

Jailed Sudanese filmmaker and Academy Award judge Hajooj Kuka says he was whipped in prison, but he and other inmates are now being treated better.

He was among five artists sentenced last week to two months in prison by a court in the capital, Khartoum, for public nuisance and disruption of public safety. They were also fined $90 (£70) each.

Their lawyer has appealed against their conviction.

Another six artists were given the same sentences for the same offences, but in a separate trial.

In a BBC Focus on Africa radio interview from his cell, Kuka said he was treated "really badly" at first, and was whipped on two different days.

Conditions in prison were bad, including a shortage of beds, he said.

However, conditions improved after the public launched a "solidarity campaign", and he now even had access to a phone, Kuka added.

Their imprisonment was "very disappointing". It showed that members of the regime of outed President Omar al-Bashir still held power, he said.