Author: Obaj Okuj | Published: 2 hours ago
Suspended first Vice President Dr Riek Machar stands behind bars at Freedom Hall during his trial and seven other leaders of the SPLM-IO – Photo credit: Eye Radio/Awan Moses
The special court trying suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused adjourned this morning after a technical fault disrupted the display of evidence during testimony by a South African digital forensic expert.
The proceedings had started for the 44th session of the trial when the screens inside the courtroom failed to function properly.
The session was scheduled to hear testimony from the prosecution’s final witness, a South African expert in digital and forensic analysis.
Although the public prosecutor presented the witness, the court could not proceed due to the technical fault.
Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala said the expert’s statement could not be displayed on the screen, prompting the adjournment of the session.
All eight accused were present in court today, including the sixth accused, who had missed several earlier sessions due to illness.
Lead defence lawyer Dr. Geri Raymondo told the court that the sixth accused has now recovered and is in good health.
Those on trial include Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the suspended First Vice President and leader of SPLM/A-IO; Puot Kang Chol, suspended Minister of Petroleum; Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, a senior SPLM/A-IO commander.
Others are businessman Mam Pal Dhuor; Member of Parliament Gatwich Lam Puoch; Brigadier General Camilo Gatmai Kel of the National Security Service; as well as Mading Riek Yak and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
They face charges including treason, murder, terrorism, conspiracy, crimes against humanity, and destruction of property, linked to the Nasir County incident allegedly involving the SPLA-IO and the White Army militia.
The charges are connected to the attack on the army garrison in Nasir County in Upper Nile State that led to the killing of more than 250 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces soldiers, including Major General David Majur, and a United Nations pilot.
The trial has lately been conducted behind closed doors after the court heard protected witnesses.
However, today’s session was open to the media and members of the public.
