The fifth session of the special court hearing on the Nasir incident is underway at Freedom Hall, but unlike the last four sessions, Wednesday’s proceedings are not being broadcast live as witnesses give their accounts.
For the first four sessions, the court allows state-run
media to air the hearings, with judges stressing the importance of public
access. But the prosecution team requested Wednesday’s session to be held in
Camera for protection of witnesses.
“The prosecution will assure the court that every exhibit is
supported by an unbroken chain of custody. Vulnerable witnesses will be
protected including through in-camera testimony, when necessary,” said Ajo
Ony'Ohisa Igele, member of the prosecution team on Monday.
“The prosecution will present a layered evidence strategy,
beginning with testimonial evidence that will come from survivors,
eyewitnesses, and protected witnesses, who will recount the attacks, the
planning meetings, and the consequences they endured.”
The prosecution said the evidence will be presented
chronologically, from the planning, to the funding, to execution, and to the
aftermath, ensuring that each strand corroborates the others and eliminates
reasonable doubt.
The presentation will be supported with independent
corroboration, including witness statements, forensic and biometric evidence
authenticated through metadata, past measures, hash values, and expert
verification.
On Monday, the prosecution delivers its opening statement
after the court rules that it has full jurisdiction to try suspended First Vice
President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused. The session adjourns after
prosecutors request more time to prepare evidence and summon witnesses.
“Justice is neither proclaimed from political podiums nor
declared in security offices. Justice is dispelled in the courtroom, beautiful
courtroom like this, such as this special court under the rule of law,” said Adv.
Dr. Geri Raymond Legge, defense lead counsel.
"It is undisputed fact that the said location is
located at a distance approximately 712 kilometers from the city of Juba. Nasir
is far, how they managed to fly up to there and come. We don't have transport
from Juba to Nasir; we don't have a road. How they managed to go there, the
burden of proof, lies on people alleged to prove the case beyond reasonable
doubt.”
Machar and seven others face charges including murder,
conspiracy, terrorism, financing of terrorist acts, treason, destruction of
public property and military assets, and crimes against humanity, stemming from
the March 2025 Nasir clashes between the White Army and the SSPDF, which killed
a general and over 250 soldiers.
The court continues hearings this week as prosecutors present their evidence and witnesses behind closed doors.
