Yar Ayuen, an outspoken young woman, who had been detained since Monday for allegedly defaming an army general, was released on bail Wednesday, pending court trial.
On Monday, Brig. Gen. Ajak Ayuen, an army general heading a joint operation unit, tasked with cracking down on gangsters and those the authorities deemed to be wearing indecent clothes, ordered the arrest of Yar after his forces allegedly harassed her for indecent dressing.
According to the police, Yar was arrested after Gen. Ayuen pressed defamation charges on her after she posted on her social media pages that she had been harassed, intimidated, and forced to undress by his forces.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the emotional Yar, confirmed her release without providing details.
Meanwhile, Ter Manyang, an activist with the civil society organization Center for Peace and Advocacy, welcomed Yar’s release and that she should be accorded a fair trial.
“She has been released and because tomorrow (Friday) is the end of the week, she will be taken to the court next week. According to the general, Yar defamed her after going live to explain what had happened. Our feeling is that Yar may not get a fair trial since the case is with an army general who might influence the court,” he said.
For his part, Sebit Buol, the High Court clerk, said the case has yet to be forwarded to the court.
“This case for which Yar was at the police has not yet reached us. It is still with the police,” he said.