Seven detainees were brought to trial in Juba on Thursday morning after spending months in detention centres of the National Security Service.
Activist Peter Biar and businessman Kerbino Wol were among the detainees who were brought to stand trial at the High Court for allegedly threatening the national security.
Ajak was detained at Juba Airport in July 2018, while Kerbino was arrested in April 27, 2018.
Duoth Kulang, the presiding judge, announced that hearings in all cases against the detainees will continue on 25 March.
Monyluak Alor Kuol, Peter Biar’s lawyer complained that fresh charges have been levelled against his client.
“Biar is not appearing in court for the initial case that he was detained for. He is appearing here for an incident happened while he was in detention,” he said.
In October, Biar and Kerbino were accused by the government of masterminding a riot that occurred at the detention center at Blue House, the headquarters of the National Security Service.
Peter Biar has not been charged by the prosecution for the initial arrest, according to Monyluak. “Peter has been brought to trial for secondary matters, “he said.
Monyluak pointed out that he had requested his client be transferred from military detention to a civilian jail.” The court said it is too early for them to consider this application because they have not yet listened to the prosecution,” he said.