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| Africa Horn |
| South Sudan court sets free four politicians accused of treason |
| 2014-04-26 |
| [SUDANTRIBUNE] A South Sudanese court has freed four politicians accused of plotting to overthrow president Salva Kiir by military force after the government dropped treason charges. The court order read out a request by the ministry of justice asking it to drop the case against all four officials, explaining the decision was made "in order to promote peace and reconciliation among our people". The president of the special court, Judge James Alala Deng, said the court had accepted the government's request to stay the case and release the officials in the interests of the nation. Former security minister Oyay Deng Ajak, former secretary-general of South Sudan's ruling party (SPLM) Pagan Amum Okiech, former defence minister Majak D'Agoot and former US envoy Ezekiel Lol Gatkouth have been in detention for the past four months after being accused of criminal masterminding the alleged coup plot with a number of other bigwigs, including former vice-president turned rebel leader Riek Machar. "Based on the report and request by the government ... the court decided to stay the process and release the officials who were on trial," Deng announced amid celebrations. |
| Posted by:Fred |