By Matik Kueth
The special court trying First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven other accused SPLM-IO members for treason, murder, and crimes has hit a procedural roadblock, dismissing the defense’s request for access to case files and copies of evidence.
Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng told the courtroom on Friday that the defense will have the opportunity to examine witnesses and investigators during trial proceedings, but not through pre-obtained documents.
The court also criticized the defense for using the wrong case title in filings. While the prosecution is pursuing The Republic of South Sudan vs. Puot Kang and Seven Others, the defense had filed under The Republic of South Sudan vs. Dr. Riek Machar and Seven Others.
The judges warned that such mistakes undermine proper procedure and ordered the defense to correct and resubmit their applications by Monday, October 27.
Requests for special healthcare accommodations for unwell accused, including customized feeding and dressing, were part of the submissions but remain unresolved.
Meanwhile, the court has yet to rule on the prosecution’s bid to try 13 defendants in absentia.
Cross-examination of the lead investigator, Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani resumed amid disputes over the trial’s jurisdiction, with the defense arguing it should fall under Upper Nile State, not Central Equatoria.
Wani had earlier outlined the alleged orchestration of the March 2025 attack on the SSPDF garrison in Nasir, an incident that claimed the lives of a general, 257 soldiers, and a UN helicopter crew member.
Evidence presented includes financial transactions, militia communications, troop movement intelligence, and coordination of local teams allegedly involved in the assault.