An employee of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been arrested in Unity State’s Koch County on allegations of defaming the local people on social media.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Brig. Gen. James Tut Wal Daang, the director of police in Koch County, confirmed the arrest of Daniel Wal Tuol Teny who he said was apprehended following complaints of defamation by locals.
“The arrest was not initiated by us as authorities but by community members who filed a defamation case against him,” he explained. “Matai Gatchang Thuok is the individual who lodged the complaint against Daniel Wal.”
The police boss further stated that the complainant, Gatchang, provided evidence of the defamatory content by presenting printed material allegedly posted by Wal.
According to Gen. Tut, the Norbor community of Koch County had convened a meeting last week to discuss the sharing of blood compensation and the meeting reportedly led to a social media exchange between DRC’s Wal and Gatchang. The latter is said to have subsequently printed the hostile content and used it to file a case.
The police chief said that due to to the absence of a criminal court in Koch County, the case will be transferred to a local community court. He reiterated that Wal’s arrest was based on the complaint filed by the local community.