A special court in South Sudan has ruled that it does have the jurisdiction to prosecute suspended Vice-President Riek Machar. The court dismissed all objections by Machar’s legal team regarding its authority. The court also expelled two of Machar’s lawyers. President Salva Kiir suspended Machar as his deputy earlier this month after justice authorities filed criminal charges for Machar.
JUBA SEPTEMBER 30: A special court in South Sudan has ruled that it does have the jurisdiction to prosecute suspended Vice-President Riek Machar and seven co-accused, who are charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity.
The court dismissed all objections by Machar’s legal team regarding its authority, the constitutionality of the proceedings, and the claim that he was immune from prosecution. The case will continue on Wednesday. The court also expelled two of Machar’s lawyers after the prosecution argued that they did not have valid licences.
President Salva Kiir suspended Machar as his deputy earlier this month after justice authorities filed criminal charges for Machar’s alleged role in an attack on a garrison of government troops earlier this year.
In addition to treason, Machar and seven others face charges of crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property and military assets.
The charges stem from an attack in March by a militia allegedly linked to Machar, in which 250 soldiers and a general were killed.
In opening remarks, a lawyer for Machar opposed the trial by what he described as “an incompetent court” that lacks jurisdiction.
Machar has dismissed the charges brought against him two weeks ago as a political “witch-hunt”.
