Advocate James Mabor Mourwel who recently successfully defended and rescued an underage girl from an early and forced marriage in the Lakes State High Court in Rumbek sustained severe injuries to his head, neck, and back after the family members of the girl attacked him on his way home on Saturday.
The lawyer told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that he was attacked behind his office on Saturday evening.
“I was attacked by the members of the party in a case where I was defending my client against early and forced marriage. The girl was underage and is 14 years old and her case was reported to our office. We went to the court and the judgment was given,” he said. “So, these people came and attacked me later. They came and beat me to the extent of sustaining injuries on my throat, neck, and back. I am here nursing at the state hospital and when I recover, I will report a case of assault to the police.”
The medical director at Rumbek State Hospital, Dr. Terran Madit Terran, said they had treated and stabilized the lawyer.
“He is a little bit stable but had generalized pain in the veins, neck, chest, and back,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Daniel Laat Kon, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) coordinator in Lakes State, condemned the attack.
“I have heard about the incident where a defense lawyer who followed up a case was attacked and badly beaten up and is currently in the hospital. As CEPO, we condemn such acts and we are calling on the government to apprehend and bring to book the perpetrators,” he said. “You cannot attack a defense lawyer who is defending a right of an individual. These people should have followed the law and appealed the case in 14 days.”