By Yiep Joseph
The special court has ordered immediate security measures following reported threats against Dr. Riek Machar and his defense team.
The directives were issued on Wednesday during the 118th session of the Special Court.
Presiding Judge, Dr. James Alala Deng gave directives, citing that such are part of the response to the alleged threats against the defense and the accused persons.
The court ordered an immediate investigation into security concerns raised over the safety of the accused persons and members of their defense teams.
As part of the measures, Judge Alala Deng directed that all court police personnel whose names have been mentioned in connection with the ongoing investigation be barred from attending court sessions with immediate effect.
The court also ordered security forces deployed to the courthouse to ensure the safety of all accused persons and their defense lawyers while they are being escorted to and from the court.
Security personnel were further instructed to secure the routes used by the accused and their legal representatives.
Roads along the routes are to be cleared and adequately secured while the accused and their lawyers are being escorted to and from Freedom Hall.
The measures follow a defense application concerning alleged threats to the safety of Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, his co-accused, and members of their legal team.
The defense had raised concerns over an alleged assassination plot and sought measures to protect those involved in the proceedings.
In response, the court directed that security personnel named in connection with the investigation be removed from attending court sessions pending further findings.
The panel also ordered that security protection be provided for defense lawyers representing Dr. Machar and the other accused persons as they travel to and from the courthouse.
As an additional precaution, the eight SPLM/A-IO accused persons and their defense lawyers were directed not to occupy their usual designated seats during court sessions.
Instead, the court allowed them to choose alternative seats within the courtroom gallery until the investigation into the reported security threats is completed.
The court emphasised that the investigation remains ongoing and that its findings will be communicated in due course.
The proceedings were later adjourned until Friday, October 2, 2026, when the judicial panel is expected to rule on two pending applications.
The first is a defense application concerning the constitutional right of the accused persons to legal counsel and issues surrounding their representation during the proceedings.
The second is a counter-application filed by the prosecution seeking to prevent the remaining four accused persons, including Dr. Machar, from presenting defense testimony in both written and oral form.
The issue has arisen after the first four accused persons in the case were previously allowed to present their defense testimony.
The court’s rulings on the two applications are expected to determine the next stage of proceedings for the remaining accused.
Until then, the court has placed immediate emphasis on security arrangements around the proceedings, with an investigation continuing into the concerns raised by the defense.