Police in Wau town of Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Wednesday detained popular singer Larson Angok in what is seen as an arrest over a controversial Facebook post, the chairperson of the artists’ union said.
However, authorities have not publicly stated the reason for Larson’s arrest.
Garang Dut told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the musician was arrested by members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Wau, saying Mr. Larson was wanted for questioning.
"When I heard that police officers were searching for him, I asked him about the reason. So I asked him if the issue was connected to his new song, but Larson replied and said the issue had nothing do to with the new song," Garang Dut said. "Larson told me that the issue could be connected to a Facebook post which he deleted after he received a telephone call about it from the authorities."
The unions’ chairperson appealed to the authorities to ensure that Larson is brought to court and charged with a recognizable criminal offence in accordance with the country’s laws. He also demanded that the arrested singer be granted regular access to a lawyer.
For his part, a police officer who preferred anonymity said the detained artist will be transferred to the capital Juba.
"When Larson Angok was brought to the CID office here, I asked him about the reason for his arrest. I told him in the presence of many people that if you are a talented musician, please don’t undermine others. As a singer, there is no reason for you to interfere in the affairs of others, and Larson is also a policeman," the police officer said.
Edmund Yakani, head of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), which promotes civil society values, said: "The authorities must ensure his safety wherever they take him. Also, the legal processes should be followed."
The renowned civil society activist appealed to the authorities to ensure that Larson Angok is granted regular access to his family and a defense lawyer.
"We want to see him having a defense lawyer that will defend his case. It is good that the police have confirmed that the musician is being held by the CID, so let him have access to his family and should not be tortured," Yakani concluded.
South Sudan’s constitution requires detainees to be produced before a court within 24 hours.