A South Sudanese journalist working for Al Maugif newspaper in Juba, Chan Joseph Awer, is reported have been found dumped in a cemetery at Hai Rock City on Tuesday morning allegedly after being kidnapped last week.
The journalist was taken for medical examination after it was discovered that he had burn marks on his legs.
One of Chan’s media colleagues who preferred anonymity told Radio Tamazuj that Chan was kidnapped on Friday evening by unknown masked men near the SPLM General Secretariat. He said that Chan was later found on Tuesday morning tied up and dumped in a cemetery at Hai Rock City. He added that he had been tortured by his kidnappers by melting plastic on his legs.
Chan was taken to the police station at Hai Malakia before being transferred to a hospital for treatment. A critical opinion peace he had written was found in his pocket, according to the colleague.
Chan had worked for Al Rai newspaper before joining Al Maugif newspaper.
Another South Sudanese journalist wrote on his Facebook page that Chan had received a death threat by email, written in Arabic.
The message as translated by the journalist accuses Chan of criticising the government in articles published in Al Rai and Al Maugif, questioning the basis for the division of the country into 28 states, and accusing armed forces of looting, robbery and murder in the night.
“If you appreciate your life in this world turn off the writing,” the message purportedly said. “You [are] digging your grave through your pen, also don’t think that the agreement will protect you from punishment. Thank you for your cooperation.”
The message may have been referring to the August 2015 peace agreement.
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, a civil society group, yesterday issued a statement condemning “the torture of Mr Joseph Chan Awer, an opinion writer with Al Mougif Arabic Daily Newspaper by unknown perpetrators.”
CEPO said that the writer was found dumped in the Rock City graveyard “in a terrible condition described by many sources as unconscious. This act confirms the reports about the situation of the journalist and media in South Sudan as worse and such acts needs urgent response from the government of South Sudan.”