Authorities at Rumbek Central Prison in Lakes State released nine inmates on Wednesday under a presidential pardon directive, officials said.
The pardon, issued by President Salva Kiir, applied to individuals convicted of minor crimes. Among those freed was Makur Nyot Marol, a teacher who had been detained for more than 60 days in a military facility in Rock City, west of the state headquarters.
The director general of Rumbek Central Prison, William Marial Agok, said the release followed an assessment in October for a year-end presidential pardon.
“These are inmates who were identified as eligible for the release,” Agok said. “The nine inmates released are people who committed minor crimes. They do not include suspects of murder, adultery, or cattle theft.”
Makur Nyot Marol told Radio Tamazuj that he was released at 2 p.m. on Wednesday after 60 days in military detention.
“The condition was actually very horrible in the detention,” he said. “I am physically weak because of the high temperature inside the military prison. There is no ventilation.”
Marol said he is preparing to seek medical care for severe chest pains and fragile health. He also called for the release of others still detained.
“My release is not enough because there are several other people who are innocently suffering behind in the military detention facility,” he said.
Daniel Laat Kon, coordinator for the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) in Lakes State, welcomed the release but urged further action.
“We are still calling for the release of the remaining detainees,” Kon said. “The release of political detainees and others arbitrarily detained without trial would be a good gesture.”
He added that any suspects not qualifying for pardon should be brought before a competent court.
CEPO said the move is a step toward respecting human rights and the rule of law in South Sudan. The organization has repeatedly called for the government to release all individuals detained without trial.