A Sudanese court on Monday sentenced 29 members of the security forces to death for the torture and killing of a teacher seized during mass protests.

This is a landmark ruling for the North African country that is trying to emerge from decades of dictatorship under the toppled former president Omar al-Bashir.

Four other security personnel received prison terms ranging from three years to life, while seven were acquitted.

All those on trial worked for the security forces in Kassala state, eastern Sudan, where teacher Ahmed al-Khair was arrested in early 2019.

He died after being tortured in February, inflaming a protest movement that eventually forced Sudan's army to oust long-term leader Omar al-Bashir in April.

The former president was sentenced to two years in detention after being found guilty of corruption, receiving illegal gifts and possessing foreign currency several weeks ago.

Bashir has been in prison in Khartoum since being forced out of power when security forces withdrew their support for his repressive regime after months of protests.

(With input from Bloomberg)