A student detained by authorities in Lakes State claims that he is innocent. He has been held for a week without charge together with several other prominent youth leaders.
Five youth leaders and one UNMISS employee identified as Rolando Kau Maker, Monyde Manyang, Meen Matur, Marier Mabany, Johnson Madol Andrew and Macieth Makur were held in custody since 20 January.
The students have been detained in an office room of one of the security organs. They say they are well treated and their relatives are permitted to visit them and bring food, though they were made to hand over their shoes, belts, and phones.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj in Rumbek, one of the students said he was temporarily allowed to leave detention in order to sit for exams at the University of Rumbek. He was permitted to leave unaccompanied, on condition that he would return.
The youth explained that he was picked up at his home on 20 January at 9:00 p.m. by police forces. “When I asked them what was the problem they said, ‘You just come,’” he recalled.
“I went to the police station, I met some other guys – five members of the youth in Rumbek – we were detained,” he explained.
The detained youths were told by police that they were accused of being supporters of Riek Machar. Later they were questioned by the National Security Service. “We told them, ‘There is nothing like that.’ And they understood, anyway, they said, ‘We know. There are no members now around who are supporting Riek Machar.’”
“‘And also should we find out that there are people who are supporting Riek, it is not the police or the CID to arrest. It is us to bring you guys and warn you first. After that if you are continuing we can arrest you, with sufficient evidence of maybe some documents or some military training you are conducting somewhere secretly in the state. If you want we can now bring you in.’”
“Those guys of the National Security they are treating us very well. The governor – you know the CID is saying it is the governor who ordered the arrest,” said the student. “Up to now we are waiting for the governor, so that these guys of the National Security can report to him the findings.”
‘No human rights’
The detained student added that there are “rampant arrests” in the state. “There is no human rights in Lakes State. You cannot say anything. There is nothing. You will just be arrested.”
Lakes State Minister of Information Duk Makoi told Radio Tamazuj he was not aware of the detention of the youths: “I’ve not heard of any arrests of some youth. But should there be arrests or detention, is not news to any radio, because people are there to be arrested when they commit crimes.”
He was speaking from Yirol where the governor has temporarily set up his headquarters.
“If somebody is affiliated to Riek Machar now and you are not taking up arms now, what is the use of you supporting Riek Machar in town? Why are you supposed to support Riek Machar and not us, by law?” said the minister.
“Because he is a a rebel, and should there be anybody supporting him and not necessarily through armed struggle, then that person has to be taken to any competent court of law to answer that.”
It is not clear why the students were arrested. On the day of their arrest the Union of Lakes State Students made a statement pointing out that some students studying abroad with government support had not received their allowances since December.
File photo
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