The Sudanese government said it would not overturn...

The Sudanese government said it would not overturn the death sentences on 88 people who were involved in a deadly tribal clash despite an appeal from rights group Amnesty International. The clash between the al-Muaalia and Reizagat tribes in May left more than 50 dead in western Sudan. A special court heard the case and in July sentenced the 88 people to die by hanging or crucifixion. Sudanese Justice Minister Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin said the government, which imposes Islamic Sharia law, would not overturn the sentences because the death penalty was sanctioned by the Koran, the Muslim holy book. "It is part of our beliefs. Issues where there is a definitive text we have no choice but to abide by them," Yassin was quoted as saying by the daily al-Rai al-Aam.