By Yiep Joseph
The Special Court trying suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused has dismissed a defense objection and formally admitted a digital forensic report as prosecution evidence.
The ruling was delivered during the 56th session of the trial on Monday, following prolonged arguments between the prosecution and defense teams over the admissibility of the report.
The digital forensic report was presented by expert witness Ratlhogo Peter Calvin and tendered as Prosecution Document No. 9H.
The defense challenged its admissibility, citing concerns over the authenticity of the document and questioning the expert’s jurisdiction.
However, Judge Stephen Simon Isaac dismissed the objection, ruling that the concerns raised could be addressed during the evaluation of evidence.
“The objection is dismissed at this stage and the document will be subjected to weighing,” the judge said.
Presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng affirmed that the defense has the right to cross-examine the digital expert.
He directed the defense team to indicate a suitable date for the cross-examination.
The defense requested an adjournment to allow time to prepare for questioning the witness.
Although the prosecution opposed the request, the court granted the adjournment and scheduled the next hearing for Friday, 6 March 2026.
The upcoming session will focus on the defence’s cross-examination of the digital forensic expert.
Dr. Machar and his 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), allied with the White Army militia, allegedly 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.