By Yiep Joseph
The defense team for suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused has concluded the cross-examination of the prosecution’s digital expert.
After a series of sessions, the 68th court session on Wednesday marked the conclusion of the defense lawyers’ cross-examination.
Defense lawyer Deng John Deng questioned the expert on several aspects of his findings.
He asked whether the expert had submitted individual reports concerning accused No. 4 and No. 7 to an independent military committee for verification, given their status as soldiers.
The expert responded that he had submitted the findings to the investigation committee.
Regarding accused No. 6, Kamilo Gatmai, the defense asked the expert to confirm his report stating that Gatmai served as a private secretary to Dr. Machar. The expert agreed, confirming that this was indicated in his findings.
Deng further asked whether, based on the digital extraction from Gatmai’s phone, the only evidence identified was the sharing of a document issued by the Office of the First Vice President. The expert confirmed this.
The defense then questioned whether, in his capacity as a private secretary, Gatmai would have been authorized to share such documents under the direction of a superior.
The expert stated that he could neither agree nor disagree, citing a lack of knowledge about the office’s internal policies.
Additionally, Deng raised concerns about messages extracted from the phone of accused No. 8, noting they were shared in June 2025, after the accused had been placed under house arrest in March 2025.
The expert acknowledged awareness of the timeline and said he had previously informed the court that the messages were from different dates.
Following the exchange, Deng announced that the defense had concluded its cross-examination of the digital expert.
He expressed appreciation to the expert, the prosecution team, and the judges.
After several hours of proceedings, the presiding judge, James Alala Deng, adjourned the session to Friday, 17 April 2026.
Dr. Machar and his co-accused face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. Machar remains under house arrest, while the other suspects are being held at facilities run by the National Security Service in Juba.
The co-defendants are Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
Prosecutors allege that forces linked to the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition, together with the White Army militia, killed 257 soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, including commander David Majur Dak, and destroyed or seized military equipment worth about $58 million during an attack on the Nasir garrison in March 2025.