The third of four defendants on trial for treason at the High Court premises in Juba testified today to his innocence. Majak D’Agoot, former deputy minister of defense, said he was told by the Minister of Interior himself that there was no evidence against him.
Minister of Interior Aleu Ayieny Aleu late last month was summoned to appear before the court as a prosecution witness, but he repeatedly declined to come to the trial, until the prosecution dropped him from their list of witnesses.
At the witness stand today, Majak d’Agoot spoke at length in his own defense. “I plead not guilty of all these charges the prosecution has leveled against me,” he said.
In his testimony, the defendant recalled that he was arrested on 16 December last year. He was held in prison for a month before the government explained the charges against them.
At the end of the month, says Majak d’Agoot, he was visited in prison at the headquarters of the National Security Service by Interior Minister Aleu Ayieny Aleu.
The minister confirmed to him personally that he did not know the reasons for his arrest and believed his imprisonment was a logical, testified Majak d’Agoot. He said the minister asked him to be patient.
Majak emphasized that when he was in the National Security detention center, the minister of interior visited him and told him: “I personally – Aleu – do not know why you are here.”
He said he replied to Aleu: “Then set me free.”
The defense witness emphasized he believed there was no coup. “Up to this time there was no clear evidence brought against me for being involved in any coup,” added the former deputy defense minister.
He further underline that the rule of law is under attack in South Sudan and says there must be an end to all this political propaganda.
Procedural issues
The prosecution asked the court on Monday to restrict the defendants to making statements relevant only the charges made against them by the prosecution in accordance with Article 197 of the Criminal Code of 2008.
The prosecution wanted the court to guide the suspects when giving their statements, in order to ensure they stick to discussion of the charges leveled against them.
Defense lawyer Monyluak Alor Kuol moved that the court dismiss the request. The court agreed.
“In regards to the request for the court to guide the accused person, there is no way – we cannot restrict him,” the judge said. Another procedural requests made by the prosecution about record-keeping at the court was also dismissed.
The court adjourned until Thursday, when it is expected it will hear the testimony of the fourth defendant, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, former ambassador to the United State of America.
File photo: Former Deputy Minister of Defense Majak d’Agoot
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