The defence team representing former First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused on Monday raised concerns over restrictions on family visits to the accused and an unusual nighttime search carried out at their detention facility.
Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge, lead defence lawyer, told the Special Court in Juba during its 126th session that the accused had complained in the first week of October that visits by family members had been suspended following concerns they had previously raised before the court about alleged poisoning.
“There has been a concern raised by the accused persons that since we raised the issue of poison before this honourable court, visitation has been stopped for members of their families,” Dr. Geri said.
Dr. Geri also informed the court of a search conducted at night on November 1, 2026, describing the incident as unusual because no similar search had taken place for nearly a year.
He said the search was carried out by a group of armed personnel outside the detention facility and allegedly took place in the absence of the facility’s director-general.
“It was unusual for almost one year; a search has been done to them at night by a group of armed personnel outside the detention facility. It was done in the absence of the director-general of the facility,” he said.
In response, presiding Judge Dr. James Alala Deng directed the defence to submit its concerns in writing, giving the other party an opportunity to respond before the court makes a ruling.
The court adjourned the proceedings until Friday, November 6, 2026, when Machar is expected to continue presenting his defence statement.
Charges and allegations
Machar and seven co-defendants face charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity.
Machar is under house arrest, while the other defendants are being held at National Security Service detention facilities in Juba.
The co-defendants are Puot Kang Chol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek and Dominic Gatgok Riek.
Prosecutors allege that forces from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), 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 the attackers destroyed or captured military equipment valued at about $58 million.
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