Treason trial opens in South Sudan capital
Four men went on trial in Juba on Tuesday for an “attempted coup” against the government of South Sudan allegedly carried out last December.
The trial was originally set to begin on Monday but was delayed by one day. The opening session took place at the High Court premises near Juba Teaching Hospital.
Roads were closed in the High Court area and heavy security surrounded the court building. Some media as well as foreign diplomats were permitted to attend.
In its presentation before the court, the prosecution stated that the criminal case against the four accused was initiated last 16 December at the Northern Division Police Station in Juba, under criminal case number 4701.
The prosecution stated that the four are charged under sections 66, 67, 72, 47, 75, 76, 206, 48, 52, 62 of the Penal Code Act 2008.
“Oyai Deng Ajak is now under arrest and on remand, Pag’an Amum Okiech, under arrest and on remand, Dr. Majak d’Agoot, under arrest and on remand, Ezekiel Lul Gatkuoth, under arrest and on remand,” stated the prosecutor.
Charges against these four include ‘treason,’ ‘incitement of the masses,’ ‘causing disaffection among police forces or defense forces,’ ‘defaming the government of South Sudan,’ and ‘undermining authority of or insulting the president.’
Evidences to be presented include a press release produced by the accused before their ‘attempted coup’ along with a recorded audio of a phone call between two of the accused, according to the prosecution.
“Number one is the press release, which was issued by the group on the 6th of December, issued during the press conference in SPLM House where one of the accused persons was the chief master of ceremony, Pag’an Amum,” stated the prosecutor.
He added, “The issue they are raising in this press release has no basis.”
Another evidence that the prosecution say they will present refers to events within the presidential guards on the night of 15 December, when shooting broke out in Juba.
“Number two, recorded audio. In this audio, Taban Deng Gai, who was the field commander of the forces was reporting to one of the suspects, Oyai Deng Ajak, telling him our forces are under pressure at the moment,” he said.
“And that is the night of the 15th, [he said] Riek Machar has ordered them to take the guns, but the armory storekeeper escaped away with the key, then we ordered them to break the armory. This audio will be produced in court and all of you will hear it, and other things, other transcripts that were recorded that night,” he continued.
The prosecutor asked the court to impose “maximum penalties" that are provided for under the mentioned sections of the penal code.
Another three persons – Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Taban Deng Gai, and Alfred Lado Gore – face the same charges in absentia, since they are still at large, but “the prosecution have separated their case.”
Also the prosecutor described Deng Alor Kuol, Gier Chuang Aluong, Kosti Manibe Ngai, John Luk Jok, Cirino Hiteng, Madut Biar and Chol Tong as facing the same charges yet being ‘on bail.’
Related coverage:
Prosecution in Amum case ask for secret trial (11 March)
Factbox: Understanding the detainees question in South Sudan (29 Jan.)