Prosecutors in the case of former SPLM Secretary-General Pag’an Amum and three other alleged coup plotters asked a special court in Juba on Tuesday to hold the trial in secret.
State television as well as some independent journalists attended the opening of the trial today at the judiciary premises near Juba Teaching Hospital, as well as several foreign diplomats.
During the opening session today, at which charges were read against the four accused, the prosecution requested the court to hear the case ‘in camera,’ a Latin legal phrase meaning ‘in a chamber’ out of the public view.
The defense responded, “I believe our judicial system, or justice system rather, states that our hearings are in public – leave alone the profile of such a case, which concerns so many people around the country – there is no way that we will concede the request that it should be in camera. It is open.”
Amum’s lawyer further referred to section 181 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act of 2008, ‘Courts to be open to the public.’
The provision states, “The place in which any Court is held for the purpose of trying any offence shall be deemed an open Court, to which the public generally may have access, so far as the same can conveniently contain them; provided that, the presiding Magistrate, may if he or she deems necessary and appropriate order at any stage of any trial of any particular case that the public generally or any particular person shall not have access to or remain in such place.”
In response to the prosecution’s request, a justice of the court stated, “The court finds that it is still premature for us to consider whether to take this session in camera, since we are still at the early stage of proceedings.”
“The request concerning the session to be conducted in camera will be considered in due course,” he added.
According to Bakhita Radio Journalist Michael Thon, this ruling means that court attendants will be allowed to record, take pictures and videos, the Catholic Radio Network reported.
Photo: Justices of the special court set up for the trial of four alleged ‘coup plotters’, 11 March 2014
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