Four of the seven youth activists who work for Junubin Chronicles, a youth-led Non-Governmental Organization that addresses issues affecting society through edutainment, have been released on bail, their lawyer said.
Delightly Keji, Bil Kur Nyiel, Sonia Akon Gak, Bafura Santelo, and three others were detained on 3 January after being summoned separately to the Giada Military Barracks which houses the elite Tiger Battalion which is tasked with protecting the president, among other dignitaries.
The group of seven youth were held regarding the disappearance of their boss and colleague, Biar Ajak Marol, the executive director of Junubin Chronicles, who went missing on 4 October last year. His vehicle was found abandoned at the Freedom Bridge in Juba. At the time, people who witnessed the abduction but preferred anonymity said Ajak was stopped and whisked away by operatives from the National Security Service’s (NSS) Internal Security Bureau (ISB).
Recently, the detainees were transferred to the Central Police Station in Juba for interrogation.
Stephen Wani, a lawyer representing the youth, told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that four of the seven detained youth were released on bail last Friday.
“Last Friday we requested the cancellation of the case against those youths and demanded that they be released on bail. Those who were released on bail are Delightly Keji, Sonia Akon Gak, Bafura Santelo, and Ezekial. However Bil Kur and two others have not been released,” he said. “So, this is the new development. We are still following up on the case. Those who have not been released, are in prison because investigations are continuing.”
Wani added: “The total number of the detained youth is seven but as a defense lawyer, I represent four of them.”
Bafura’s father, who only identified himself as Kennedy, confirmed that his son had been released on bail and is home.
“He was released on bail last Friday and I stood as surety for him,” he stated.
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