Suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar appeared before the Special Court trying the Nasir Incident on Monday wearing a necktie despite an earlier court order prohibiting accused persons from wearing ties during proceedings.
During the 101st sitting of the Special Court, Presiding Judge James Alala Deng ordered the fifth accused, Dr. Riek Machar, to remove his necktie before the court proceeded with the hearing from the fourth accused, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam.
The directive follows a ruling made during the previous court session in which Justice Alala barred the accused from wearing neckties, saying the measure was necessary to ensure safety in the courtroom.
Lead Prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa raised the issue after observing that Machar had appeared at the 101st court session wearing a necktie despite the court’s earlier order last Friday prohibiting such attire.
“We are witnessing that the fifth accused is still wearing a necktie despite your ruling last time,” Ohisa said.
Machar’s lawyer, Deng John Deng, opposed the prosecution’s objection, arguing that the previous court order did not automatically apply to the fifth accused, Dr. Riek Machar.
He contended that if the prosecution wanted the order enforced against Machar, it should have filed a separate application specifically seeking to prohibit him from wearing a necktie.
Justice Alala said all accused persons are equal before the law.
“Accused Number 5 should not continue wearing neckties,” he stated. “All of them are equal before the law and should not wear neckties during the sessions.”
The judge ordered Dr. Machar to remove his necktie, after which the proceedings resumed with the hearing of the statement of the fourth accused, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam.
“You (Machar) are ordered to remove your necktie; you should not continue wearing neckties,” Alala ruled. “We say this is based on security concerns and it has nothing to do with court procedures.”
The court was adjourned to Wednesday, when it will continue Gen. Duop’s defense.
The seven co-accused in the case are Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puohc, 67; Lt Gen Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
They face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors allege that SPLA-IO forces allied with the White Army killed 257 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers, including commander Gen David Majur Dak, during an attack on the Nasir military garrison in March 2025. They also allege that military equipment worth about 58 million US dollars was destroyed or seized.
The defendants deny the charges.
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