Police in Bor town of Jonglei State on Thursday granted bail to the 30 members of the Sudan People’s People Liberation Movement (SPLM) party who were arrested and detained on Tuesday.
The released, most of whom are former constitutional post holders, were arrested by the police on Tuesday evening. But they claim that their arrest was politically motivated.
Late last month, a number of SPLM party officials, petitioned President Salva Kiir calling for the state deputy governor’s removal and accusing him of inciting hatred and division among party members.
Antipas Nyok is the deputy governor and head of the SPLM party in the state.
Gabriel Deng Ajak, one of those released on bail, told Radio Tamazuj that said they were released without charges. "We were released on bail, and the case has been forwarded to the state public attorney. And that should have been the case before because if anyone has an issue, they should first explain it to the attorney. But because of the political involvement of the deputy governor, that is why we were unprofessionally arrested," Deng said.
He added, "So, 37 of us are now moving freely in Bor. Now, we will wait to see their next step of action."
Deng, who served as head of the Jonglei Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, welcomed his release but insisted that they will continue pushing for a change within the SPLM party in the state.
Chol Deng Achiek, the deputy Jonglei police commissioner, confirmed that all those arrested were released on bail after investigations.
"Those people have been released on bail after we investigated them and forwarded their case to the public attorney. So, they will remain on bail until their case is heard. On the arrest warrant, we only have three people, not over 30. The rest are just trying to create confusion," he stressed.