South Sudan’s National Security Service on Tuesday released radio journalist Ocen David Nicholas after holding him for four days without charge.
Ocen David Nicholas works for Bakhita Radio, a popular FM station in Juba managed by the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba.
Two Catholic Church sources confirmed to Radio Tamazuj the release of Ocen today, including the secretary to the Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro, who heads Juba Archdiocese.
Ocen was released two days after the expiry of the 24-hour legal time limit for the government to hold a criminal suspect without charging him.
He was never charged of any crime.
Madut Wol, Director of Information at the National Security Service, has so far made no public explanation for the reasons for Ocen’s detention.
Bakhita FM remains off-air as of 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
More coverage to follow.
Related:
South Sudanese journalist’s arrest linked to reporting on fighting (19 Aug.)
South Sudanese journalist spends 3rd day in detention without charge (18 Aug.)
Timeline: media struggle in South Sudan (18 Aug.)