The trial of 33 civilians accused of killing 54 soldiers in Warrap state has been adjourned due to the absence of members of the General Court Martial and defense lawyers.
The first appearance of the suspects in court was scheduled to take place at Giyada on Wednesday morning.
On 26 June 2020, about 54 SSPDF soldiers, including two senior officers at the rank of colonel, were killed by armed youths during violent clashes in the Rualbet area of Tonj North County, Warrap State.
Among those killed were the Military Chief of Intelligence Division 11, Lt. Col. Akec Ciman Paac, SSPDF Division 11 Military Chief for Operations Maj. Santino Kuot Kuotdit and the former Mayen Jur County Commissioner Kuol Agok.
The clash erupted in Rualbet when soldiers tried to recover about 128 stolen heads of cattle from armed youths.
Speaking to reporters in Juba this morning, Military Spokesman Maj. Gen Lul Ruai Koang said General Court Martial adjourned the sitting to 28 June due to the absence of members of defense teams and prosecutors.
“We are postponing this session for two reasons, members of the General Court Martial are incomplete, and one of them is not feeling well. Secondly, the defense team, as well as prosecution teams, are not around, they are attending another workshop on the rule of law,” Gen. Lul told reporters on Wednesday.
“We had wanted to make the first appearance of 33 suspects accused of killing SSPDF soldiers, around 54 that were killed on 26th June 2022 at Rualbet,” he added.
“The third reason why we wanted the accused to appear was also for them to come and tell us whether they have any objection to the composition of the General Court Martial. For three reasons, we wanted the accused persons to appear in person. Secondly, we wanted to know from them do they have their own defense teams or if there is a need for them to be hired by a defense team provided for, and lastly, for us to hear from them if they have any objection.”
The five-member General Court Martial is chaired by Maj. Gen. Majok Michael Chan and deputized by Brig. Gen. Alex Makelele Nyijok.