Special tribunal resumes in Juba
The fourteenth sitting opened under tight security at the judiciary complex in Juba, with prosecution and defense benches fully represented.
Two of the eight defendants, identified as the fourth and sixth, stayed away for medical reasons, yet advocate Deng John Deng assured the bench that cross-examination could proceed.
Bench rejects preliminary motions
Presiding judges delivered an early ruling that dismissed defense requests for additional documents and extended medical leave.
The panel said the case title supplied by lawyers—“The Republic of South Sudan versus Puot Kang and Seven Others”—was misleading, instructing counsel to amend and refile by Monday.
Court cautions defense over conduct
In measured language, the bench warned attorneys against what it called a “wrong attitude,” urging candor and procedural discipline to safeguard the trial’s credibility.
Nasir incident under scrutiny
Lead investigator Major General Basilio Thomas Wani faced detailed questioning on whether the 2022 Nasir clashes fell under the Revitalized Peace Agreement’s monitoring bodies.
“I read parts of the accord, yet the Nasir matter is criminal, not for CTSAMVM,” he told the court.
House-arrest order confirmed
General Wani acknowledged seeing a letter placing Dr Machar under house arrest but said no presidential directive specifically authorized the prosecution.
He noted that interrogations occurred at a National Security Service site because the alleged offenses were categorized as crimes against the state.
Debate over seized assets
The investigator confirmed phones and a laptop remain in committee custody but said he lacked information on defense claims that ten vehicles were removed from Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol’s residence.
Next hearing date set
Judges adjourned proceedings to Monday, 27 October, allowing defense lawyers to continue grilling the investigator and to refile corrected motions, prolonging a legal drama closely watched across the region.