A Sudanese rights group on Sunday accused state-backed security cells in the capital Khartoum of committing widespread abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and forced disappearances, saying it had documented 121 such arrests in recent months.

The security cells, comprised of army, police, and intelligence officers, were established by authorities in most states with broad powers of arrest. They have been accused of targeting individuals suspected of collaborating with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Emergency Lawyers group said it had documented 162 arrests in total, of whom 16 people have been missing since the army recaptured Khartoum from the RSF last March.

In a statement, the group described the cells as “a tool of repression and intimidation,” accusing them of systematically torturing detainees. It said some prisoners are eventually released in poor health, put on trial, or die in custody, while others are later found dead.

The group cited the case of volunteer Khaled al-Zubair, who died in army intelligence custody this month after being detained for nearly two years.

The accusations come as military authorities attempt to restore basic services and encourage displaced residents to return to parts of the capital retaken from the RSF.

The Emergency Lawyers also said that victims’ families face threats to deter them from seeking information about their relatives. The group called for the immediate release of all detainees, a halt to arbitrary arrests, and disclosure of the whereabouts of the missing.