By Matik Kueth
The Special Court established to try First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven other accused SPLM-IO detainees held its eighth session at Freedom Hall in Juba on Wednesday, amid growing criticism from the defense team and opposition groups who have denounced the proceedings as a political witch-hunt.
During the session, the prosecutors submitted additional exhibits and physical evidence against the eight detainees.
Despite objections from the defense, the court admitted most of the exhibits in principle, drawing accusations of bias and procedural irregularities.
The prosecutors’ newly introduced documents included a letter from the National Communications Authority (NCA) concerning data allegedly extracted from phones and laptops belonging to the detainees, as well as two ministerial orders issued by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs approving the photographing and use of the purported evidence.
All three documents were dated September 5, 2025, several days after the case file had already been referred to the court on September 1.
Another contested submission was a report from the National Security Service on a radio-signal device allegedly belonging to Dr. Machar, alongside USB drives said to contain videos and audio recordings linked to the so-called Nasir incident.
The defense objected, arguing that the seizure and analysis of the device violated Article 22 of the Constitution, which protects privacy, and that no lawful search warrant had been issued as required under the Criminal Procedure Act of 2008.
The defense also challenged a report signed by General Santino Deng Akot regarding the evacuation of SSPDF forces from Nasir in March 2025.
Defense lawyers maintained that the operation, including the airlift and recovery of fallen soldiers and UN personnel, had been coordinated by Dr. Machar in consultation with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Cabinet, and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), a claim supported by internal government and UN communications.
Another exhibit submitted was a UN Security Council press statement dated March 21, 2025, addressing the attack against UNMISS in Nasir.
The statement made no mention of Dr. Machar or any of the accused SPLM/A (IO) members, further undermining the prosecution’s claims, according to the defense.
The prosecutors also presented two physical items, a Samsung mobile phone and a MacBook laptop, which they claimed belonged to Dr. Machar.
The defense again objected, citing constitutional violations and unlawful confiscation procedures.
The court deferred its ruling on these exhibits, pending the arrival of a “forensic expert” reportedly contracted by the SPLM (IG) to analyze the extracted data.
In a limited concession, the court granted the defense a one-hour visit to meet with the seven detainees held at the National Security Service’s Blue House.
Among those recently transferred are Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Deputy Chief of Defense Forces and Co-Chair of the Joint Defense Board (JDB); 1st Lt. Mading Yak Riek; and Mr. Dominic Gatgok Riek, all moved from Giada detention centers at Jamus and Tiger.
The court also permitted Gatwech Lam Puoch to temporarily leave custody to attend a family bereavement.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng adjourned proceedings to Monday, October 13, when forensic experts are expected to testify.
Dr. Machar and his co-accused face charges of treason, crimes against humanity, mass murder, terrorism, and destruction of property related to the March 2025 Nasir attacks, in which Gen. David Majur Dak and dozens of SSPDF soldiers were killed.
The government alleges the assaults were orchestrated by SPLM/A-IO forces and the allied White Army militia.