Court Bars Named Police Personnel From Machar Trial Amid Threat Inquiry

The court changed security arrangements for the accused and defence lawyers; the investigation into alleged threats remains open.

JUBA — The Special Court trying former First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused has ordered court police personnel named in an investigation into alleged threats against defendants and defence lawyers to stop attending its sessions immediately.

At its 30 September session, presiding judge James Alala Deng also directed security forces to protect the accused and counsel when travelling to and from court and to clear their routes. The court allowed the defendants and defence team to use seats in the public gallery while the inquiry continues, according to Radio Tamazuj’s account of the proceedings.

A pending inquiry, not a finding of guilt

The defence raised concerns for the lives and safety of the eight accused and their lawyers. Details of the alleged threats and the evidence under investigation were not made public. The court’s directions are significant because the safety of counsel and defendants bears directly on the ability to prepare and conduct a defence. They should not be presented as proof of the underlying allegation.

The court was expected to rule on a defence application and a prosecution counter-application on Friday, 2 October. This article records the position before that sitting; any Friday ruling requires a separate verified update. The defendants deny the charges arising from the March 2025 violence in Nasir.

What the court should clarify

South Sudan Press is seeking the written directions, which agency employs the barred personnel, whether the restriction extends beyond courtroom duty, who leads the investigation and whether its conclusions will be disclosed. The court should also explain how the protective arrangements affect access for lawyers, families and the public without exposing sensitive security details.