By Yiep Joseph
The defense lawyers for Dr. Riek Machar and the seven co-accused have raised fresh questions on the search procedures applied in some residences of the accused.
During the Special Court’s 15th session on Monday, the defense team questioned the lead investigator to explain the searching procedures applied during the arrest of the accused.
The question was part of the ongoing cross-examination processes.
During the court’s 15th session at Freedom Hall on Monday, defense lawyer Kur Lual Kur questioned lead investigator Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas Wani on the searching procedures applied during the seizure of the items of the accused.
Kur requested the lead investigator to let the court know how many times the resident of Dr. Machar was checked as well as the procedures followed.
The defense lawyer also questions the unit that searched Dr. Machar’s house.
Kur questioned the investigator on whether there was an authorization letter ordering the search in the house of the fifth accused, Dr. Machar.
In response, the lead investigator, Maj. Gen. Basilio Thomas, expressed that the search was procedural.
He admitted that the search in the house of the First Vice President was conducted by National Security, who later reported the items seized to the investigation committee, who later presented them at the court.
Defense lawyer Kur also questioned the investigator on the whereabouts of some of the items seized from the accused, such as the long-range radios.
On his part, Thomas expressed that he has no knowledge about the radios, citing that what was reported during the search was presented to the court during the presentations.
While the cross-examinations continued, Kur questioned investigator Thomas about the whereabouts of four men whom he claimed were arrested and were neither among the accused nor those released.
He expressed that the four men were residing with the First Vice President during the time of the arrest.
“These four individuals were taken from the residence of the fifth accused, Dr. Riek Machar Teny. They have neither been released nor brought before this court. Where are they?” Kur asked the investigator.
In response, Thomas testified that the four individuals “did not appear in the investigation” and that he did not know their current whereabouts.
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 Gatrgok 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.