By: Chol Mawel
The state media broadcaster, SSBC, will televise the court proceedings for Dr. Riek Machar Teny and seven other senior SPLM-IO figures when their trial starts today at Freedom Hall in Juba. This information comes from a government-aligned journalist and senior broadcaster.
One of Machar’s defense lawyers, Kur Lual Kur, said the government notified the defense that the trial would start at 9:00 AM on Monday, September 22.
The accused are facing several charges including murder, treason, conspiracy, funding terrorist acts, offenses against state authorities, and crimes against humanity. These stem from deadly clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, in March, which reportedly killed an SPLA-in-Government (SSPDF) general and hundreds of soldiers.
Kur also said he’s met with Machar and the others multiple times in the past week; they are in good health and ready for the start of the trial.
In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, Gore Anthony confirmed that the state broadcaster would air the trial live from the morning hours, because the case has not only national importance, but also regional and international interest.
Anthony also noted that the broadcast’s reach is expected to extend to countries including Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
