A South Sudanese army officer accused of supervising a horrific attack on foreign aid workers during clashes in Juba has died in military detention, a spokesman for the army said.

The deceased was identified as First Lieutenant Luka Akechak

Luka was among 12 SPLA soldiers accused of rape, torture, killing and looting during the attack on the Terrain hotel compound last year. The accused are facing trial for the assault during fighting in the capital, Juba.

SPLA deputy spokesman Santo Domic told Radio Tamazuj today that the suspect had died on 14 October due to malaria and typhoid.

“But we are still waiting for the post-mortem report from the doctor. Hospital officials said they will give us the report on Monday so that we can have more details,” Domic said.

Domic said that the deceased spent nearly a year in prison, pointing out that late Luka was the commander of the army unit that attacked the Terrain hotel compound.

“He was accused of supervising the Terrain hotel attack and sexual assaults on foreign aid workers. So, as a commander he was supposed to give orders and stop his soldiers from carrying out the attack that’s why the court accused him of failing to carry out his responsibility fully,” Domic said.

The army official further said the next court date was scheduled to take place on 25 October via video link because the foreign aid workers who were allegedly raped are outside the country.