Khartoum, Aug 19 (IANS): A trial of Sudan's former President Omar al-Bashir began at a court here on Monday on charges related to corruption, possession of foreign currency and illicit wealth.

Al-Bashir arrived at the court in Khartoum's Arkaweet neighbourhood amid tight security, Xinhua news agency reported.

The first session of al-Bashir's trial was supposed to begin on July 31, but it was delayed to August 17 as he failed to appear before the court for security reasons.

The August 17 session had been delayed once again as it coincided with the date of the signing ceremony of the transitional documents in Sudan.

The Sudanese Army ousted al-Bashir from power on April 11 amid popular protests that erupted in December 2018.

Following his ouster, the General Prosecution in Sudan raised charges against al-Bashir related to corruption, possession of foreign currency and illicit wealth after around $113 million were found at his residence.

If convicted, Al-Bashir, who has been under house arrest since his ouster, could be sentenced to up to 10 years in jail.

Al-Bashir had been in power for almost 30 years after he led a coup in the oil-rich country in 1989.

Since the country split with South Sudan in 2011, Sudan has been increasingly paralyzed by protests and instability, as well as a worsening economic crisis.