‘Military stole our revolution How 'Spider-Man' became a symbol of protest in Sudan

Violence and arrests will not deter Sudan's young activists from resisting the military who “stole our revolution," says one man who faces down the teargas and bullets in a blue and red superhero costume.

- Kaamil Ahmed

Featured in a Guardian documentary, The 'Spider-Man'of Sudan, the masked activist - who cannot be named for his safety has become a symbol of protests that began in October. Dressed in his frayed suit, he and other demonstrators confront teargas, water cannon and often live bullets.

During the protests his childhood friend was killed by security forces, who have also been accused of sexually assaulting women and hunting down activists. It was in homage to his friend that he picked up the suit, less as a disguise than a symbol of his loss and of the story they were told as children of the spider who protects the prophet Muhammad and his companion by spinning a web across the mouth of a cave they are hiding in, meaning their enemies pass by without looking in.