By Yiep Joseph
The Special Court trying Puot Kang and seven co-accused has adjourned trials to Friday, Oct 24, 2025.
On Wednesday, the 13th session of the court trials continues examining in chief.
The lead investigator presented the alleged roles and connections of the accused persons in relation to the March Nasir incident.
This is in addition to the question posted by the prosecution to the lead investigator to just justify how the roles of the accused resulted in the commissioning of the crimes.
The lead investigator presented additional information, bringing the examination session to an end.
The presiding judge, however, cleared the floor for the court to proceed with the cross-examination, where the defense could pose questions to the lead investigator regarding the evidence.
Meanwhile, the defense team requested time to go through the case file before cross-examinations.
However, when given a chance to acknowledge before the court proceeded with cross-examinations, the prosecution team objected to the requested addition of the section cited by the defense to support their request, hence no law allowing such.
After the legal argument, the presiding judge, Dr. James Alala, adjourned the court to Friday, Oct 22, 2025.
He revealed that on Friday, the special will be able to decide on some of the applications, such as the request by the prosecution to try some accused who are absent.
In September, the government of South Sudan filed six charges, including treason and murder, against its First Vice President and opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and seven others in connection with the March 2025 Nasir incident.
Dr. Joseph Geng Akec, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, announced in a press briefing in Juba that the government’s investigative committee has concluded its probe and filed charges against Dr. Machar and his allies.
The accused, including Dr. Riek Machar, Mr. Puot Kang Choi, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Mr. Mam Pal Dhuor, Mr. Gatwich Lam Puoch, Brig. Gen. Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mr. Mading Riek Yak, and Mr. Dominic Gatgok Riek of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army–In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), are alleged to have coordinated with the White Army in attacks on the Nasir barracks from 3 to 7 March 2025.
The incident resulted in the deaths of Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak, over 250 SSPDF soldiers, and a United Nations pilot.