Tong Awan, a member of the SPLM Liberation Council in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, is demanding that the State Advisor on Development Yel Deng Nguel, who is still in detention, either be released or taken to court.
The leading party member said Deng’s detention is illegal because his immunity was not lifted. Tong expressed concern about the health condition of the detainee after being taken to a hospital on Sunday.
Deng was returned back to detention at the Military Hospital in Juba, according to Tong. He added that a large number of SPLM members in the state are demanding his release or taken to the court.
Security agents arrested Yel in January, reportedly on the orders of SPLA-Juba Chief of General Staff Paul Malong Awan, after the advisor purportedly threatened to slap Malong during a meeting in Aweil. Yel was held in Northern Bahr al Ghazal tempoarily before being transferred to Juba.
Given his status as a civilian, it is not clear why he is in military custody. In February, defense lawyers representing Yel threatened to sue the Ministry of Defense for unconstitutionally arresting and detaining their client.