A co-accused in the trial linked to suspended First Vice President Riek Machar told the special court on Monday that officers of the National Security Service (NSS) inserted digital messages into his mobile phone while it was in their custody, challenging the authenticity of electronic evidence presented against him.
During the 93rd session of the trial, Gatwech Lam Puoch denied responsibility for messages that prosecutors allege linked him to the dissemination of intelligence information and support for the White Army militia. He said the messages were not on his phone before his arrest on March 13, 2025.
“Furthermore, it is strongly suggested that the alleged messages were copied from another source and inserted into my phone record in an attempt to support the false allegations against me,” Lam told the court.
Lam, who represents Nasir County in the National Legislative Assembly, rejected testimony by a prosecution investigator accusing him of sharing intelligence information and supporting the mobilization of the White Army.
“He failed to explain what intelligence information was allegedly shared, how it was shared, or in what manner I allegedly supported the armed youth, whether financially, materially, logistically or otherwise,” Lam said.
He also disputed the authenticity of WhatsApp messages that a South African digital forensic expert attributed to him, including messages allegedly showing he shared photographs of helicopter gunships.
“Upon careful examination, I conclude that neither the prosecution, the National Security Service nor Expert Witness No. 13 has established that I shared those photographs,” he said.
“Indeed, if such photographs are found on the device presented before the court, it must be noted that the phones remained in the exclusive custody and possession of the National Security Service and the prosecution from the date of my arrest on March 13, 2025, until they were produced before this court as exhibits,” he added.
Lam also rejected an audio recording presented by the prosecution’s digital forensic expert, saying the identities of the speakers had not been established and there was no basis for linking the recording to him.
He challenged the broader digital forensic evidence, describing it as unreliable, unverified and procedurally flawed.
Presiding Judge Deng adjourned proceedings until Friday, July 3, when Lam is expected to continue presenting his defence.
Lam, 66, and his co-defendants face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity.
Machar remains under house arrest, while the other defendants are being held at National Security Service facilities in Juba.
The defendants are Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
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 garrison in March 2025. They also allege the attackers destroyed or seized military equipment valued at about $58 million.
and then