The Qatar-based Al Jazeera media outlet confirmed Tuesday that the Sudanese government had pulled the credentials of three of its journalists covering weeks of economic and political unrest.

Correspondents Osama Ahmed and Ahmed Alrehaid, along with photojournalist Badawi Bashir, have been barred despite earlier approval from the Sudanese Press and Publications Council for all Al Jazeera staff through 2019.

“The network reaffirms its journalists’ commitment to Al Jazeera’s editorial standards in the coverage of the latest developments in Sudan,” the company said in a statement. “Al Jazeera Media Network expresses its demand to the Sudanese authorities to reinstate the accreditation of our colleagues at the earliest to enable them to carry out their duties safely and without intimidation, as we believe that journalism is not a crime.”

Sudanese officials have targeted other international journalists too, including staff from Turkey’s Anadolu and Al Arabiya, based in Dubai. The country’s own reporters say they’re under pressure from Khartoum as protests against President Omar al-Bashir’s rule have continued for more than a month. Radio Dabanga reports the seizure of printed newspapers to ensure a ban on “material related to the demonstrations and the security forces’ violence against the demonstrators.”

What began as university protests and marches over bread and fuel swept quickly across the nation. At least two dozen people have died, according to official sources, but the Amnesty International human rights organization says the true number is closer to 40.

The protests continue this week, as did a funeral procession, above, for one of the victims of the violence. Activists with Sudan Change Now reported new clashes on Tuesday, with reports that security forces used live fire against protesters.

Image: Sudan Change Now