A court in Juba on Tuesday charged Police Captain Richard Ruai Kuol with using force against a civilian after prosecutors concluded their case in a trial stemming from an alleged assault captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
Presiding Judge Maj. Gen. Raymond Legge said the court had considered the prosecution’s charges, investigation findings and testimony presented during proceedings before deciding there was sufficient basis to proceed against the accused.
He said the court relied on video footage of the incident, witness statements and admissions made by the accused during the hearings.
The court heard that the alleged assault took place on 5 May 2026 at about 2:30 p.m. at the James Hotel in the Hai Cinema neighbourhood of Juba.
Judge Legge said the matter came to the attention of police after a prosecutor viewed the video circulating on social media and formally reported it through official channels.
He added that witnesses, including some called by the defence, corroborated aspects of the incident and that the accused had acknowledged involvement in the altercation during proceedings.
Following the ruling, defence lawyer Dut Paulino said the team would challenge the charges in the next phase of the trial.
“We think these are baseless accusations, and we are on the defensive. We are going to challenge this decision and present our defence in the right way,” he told reporters.
He said some of the charges were improperly applied and would be contested during the defence stage. He noted that one count under Section 66 of the Police Act carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and could also lead to dismissal from service if a conviction is secured.
Prosecutor Major Amil Khamis Mayen welcomed the decision to proceed, describing the alleged conduct as serious.
“This is a dangerous crime for the police,” he said, adding that authorities had brought the matter to court to ensure accountability.
“We are here to represent the police. We are not here to criticise, but this is not our way of dealing with citizens,” he said.
The prosecution said the accused faces charges under Section 66 of the Police Act on use of criminal force, among other provisions.
The case has entered the defence phase, with defence witnesses expected to testify when proceedings resume on 25 June at 2 p.m.
The trial has drawn public attention after the circulation of the video, which sparked debate over police conduct and accountability in South Sudan.
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