Civil society organizations and the family of convicted activist Samuel Garang Dut of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state are calling for his unconditional release from jail.
Garang was found guilty last June by the high court in Aweil town and is serving an eight-month sentence. He was also ordered to pay SSP 2 million as compensation to the state governor in a defamation case.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, the Executive Director for Aweil Community Based Organization (ACBOF) Santino Deng Ngong, appealed to authorities to pardon him.
"We are confused to know the difference between freedom of expression and abuse of power in this matter. Garang was tried by the law, which is why he is in prison," he said. "Though the law has taken its course, as civil society organizations we are still calling for compromise from those who were affected by Samuel Garang Dut’s expression to compromise, have pity and release him without conditions,” Deng appealed.
Aguer Kawac Akook of Christian Restore Hope (CRH) directly petitioned the state governor to release the activist and waive the fine.
“Indeed, we are asking the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Hon. Tong Akeen Ngor to release Samuel Garang Dut from the jail because he is innocent and cannot be put in the prison for more than eight months plus this much amount of 2,000,000 South Sudanese Pound must be reduced,” said Kawac.
On her part, Awek Dut, the elder sister for the detained activist apologized to governor Akeen on his brother's behalf and asked for his release saying his brother has developed chest complications and requires medical attention.
“I told him that you are a small boy and this person (governor Tong Akeen Ngor) is a top government figure and don’t try to contest with him. I am here to apologize to the government to accept our apology on behalf of our son because he has done a big mistake,” said Awek. “When I visited him the day before yesterday he told me that he has developed chest illness again which started a long time ago in Juba while he was in school, this disease has resumed complications again and I don’t know whether he receives medication or not."
Garang was dragged to court on defamation charges by Governor Tong Akeen Ngor in April after his Facebook post accused and criticized Governor Akeen for constructing a private house in the Hai Referendum residential area of Juba using pilfered public funds.
He also alleged that the governor sold huge quantities of cement, steel, and iron sheets which were meant for drainage systems within and outside Aweil town.