A South African adviser for South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar was sentenced to death on Friday on charges of espionage, conspiracy to overthrow the government and supplying weapons.
William John Endley, who served as an advisor to exiled opposition leader Riek Machar, is a retired army colonel. He was also charged with insurgency, sabotage, terrorism and illegal entry into South Sudan.
The South African national was arrested in the capital Juba by national security agents on 18 August 2016.
During the sentencing today, the presiding judge Ladu Eriminio Sekwat said Endley, 55, has already served two years in jail for violating Article 38 of South Sudan’s immigrations law.
He further said Endley has been sentenced to death by hanging for violating provisions of section 67 of South Sudan’s Criminal Procedural Act and section 57 of the South Sudan National Security Act.
He pointed out that Endley had 15 days to appeal.
His lawyer Gardit Abel Gar told said Endley should be released according to the signed cessation of hostilities agreement.
“It is inconsistent with the just signed cessation of hostilities agreement which has stated that all political detainees and prisoners of war should have been released with 72 hours and 14 days later, but it has not been done and the government should have stayed the case,” he said.
The defense lawyer said he is ready to appeal within the period specified by the court.
James Gatdet Dak, the official former spokesman for Riek Machar, has also been sentenced to death for inciting war and conspiracy against Kiir’s administration.