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JUBA - 20 Sep 2017

James Gatdet’s trial adjourned ‘indefinitely’

The High Court has adjourned the trial of South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar’s former spokesman, James Gatdek Dak, indefinitely last week.

The tribunal announced the decision on Friday.

A relative to Gatdet, who attended the court sitting, told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that Gatdet’s trial was on Friday last week adjourned until further notice, saying the national security representative Angelo Sabrino was supposed to defend their claims in the court.

He claimed that the presiding judge said the adjournment was to give the court ample time to go through all charges levelled against James Gatdet by the National Security Service.

He also said the judge said the break was requested by his senior colleagues to allow them prepare better. “We are worried about the next steps. But to us it seems the case will be referred to another judge, we don’t even know but we are worried,” he said.

He further said none of them including their defense lawyer Monyluak Alor was allowed to say anything in the court last week.

Gatdet is accused of inciting violence, treason, disseminating false information to the detriment of South Sudanese national security, and insulting President Kiir under the South Sudanese penal code of 2008.