By Yiep Joseph
As the trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused continues, defense lawyers have questioned a digital expert over photos and videos they say are not relevant to the case.
The current and previous sessions have focused on the cross-examination of South African forensic analyst Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi by the defense team.
During the 61st session on Wednesday, much of the proceedings centered on the individual report of accused number one, Puot Kang.
Defense lawyer Dr. Gerry Raimondo Legge questioned the expert on some photos, audio files, and videos contained in the report, arguing that some of the evidence was not relevant to the case.
According to Dr. Legge, some materials date back to February 2025, before the Nasir incident, while others are from as late as March 28, 2025, after the accused had already been arrested.
He also questioned the expert about messages found on the phone of accused number one, in which unidentified individuals appeared to thank someone for sending money, asking the expert to clarify who the sender was.
Dr. Legge further challenged parts of the report claiming that the accused was involved in monitoring military activities, including the movement of gunships used in bombing.
He asked whether those conclusions were the expert’s own opinions.
In response, Rafadi told the court that he could not identify the senders of the photos, videos, or messages extracted from the phone.
He explained that the materials were identified using keyword-based searches during the extraction process.
The expert added that the photos and videos were included as part of additional evidence guided by the keywords used, and that his examination of the device belonging to Puot Kang did not show the senders of some files.
As cross-examination continues, Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng adjourned the trial until Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
The upcoming 62nd session is expected to continue with the cross-examination of the digital expert.
Dr. Machar and seven co-accused face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity.
According to prosecutors, forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), allegedly allied with the White Army militia, killed 257 soldiers of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), including commander David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth approximately $58 million during the March 2025 attack on the Nasir garrison.