A US Federal Bureau of Investigation official is helping to prosecute South Sudanese soldiers accused of raping foreign aid workers and killing their local colleague in July last year, the US embassy in Juba said on Tuesday.
The US embassy said in a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj that the FBI assistant legal attaché attended a court martial on Tuesday, adding he would consult local authorities to discuss the types of support the FBI can provide to all aspects of the investigation and prosecution.
The attack on the Terrain Hotel occurred in Juba on July 11, 2016 as government troops won a battle against opposition forces allied to former First Vice President Riek Machar.
“Following the attack by SPLA forces on the Terrain Hotel Compound on July 11, 2016, which included an assault on U.S. citizens, the U.S. government asked the government of the Republic of South Sudan to permit the FBI to assist in the investigation and the prosecution,” the US embassy in Juba said.
“The Minister of Justice subsequently extended an invitation to the FBI to provide forensic assistance,” adds the statement.
The US government pointed out that such investigative and prosecutorial support is routine.
At the court hearing on Tuesday, the trial of 12 accused SPLA soldiers who were present at today’s hearing was adjourned for two weeks after a newly assigned chief prosecutor had asked to further prepare.