The special court on Wednesday rejected a defense request to examine the phones of seven co-accused in the trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, citing concerns over evidence security.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng said the defense could review only the hash values—digital codes used to verify data integrity—provided by the prosecution’s forensic expert, and barred physical access to the devices.
The judge adjourned the trial until Monday, 16 March, and ordered the expert to make the hash values available to the defense team by then.
Defense lawyers argued that accessing the phones was necessary to confirm the authenticity of messages, photos, and videos extracted from the devices. Prosecutors countered that opening the phones could risk evidence tampering and delay the trial.
The case centers on a March 2025 attack on the Nasir military garrison that killed 257 soldiers and resulted in the destruction or seizure of military equipment valued at roughly $58 million. Authorities say messages and media found on the phones show coordination, financing, and operational planning linked to the attack.
The defendants are Dr. Riek Machar, 73, Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Riek Machar Teny, 73; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
Machar remains under house arrest, while his co-accused are held at National Security Service facilities in Juba.
They face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity.