Two South Sudanese activists, including a prominent civil society leader and a freelance journalist, were briefly detained by security forces on Monday outside Freedom Hall, the venue of the high-profile trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven others.
Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), says he was assaulted and unlawfully detained by members of the National Security Service (NSS) as he attempted to access the courtroom at around 8:00 a.m.
In a statement, Ter alleged that after being denied entry for arriving “late,” he was physically attacked by security agents.
“They kicked me in the head and neck, covered my face with a cloth, and forced me into a vehicle,” Ter said.“They told me they had been looking for me. I was subjected to degrading treatment and targeted because I am a Nuer human rights defender.”
He claimed he was then driven around Juba for nearly 30 minutes, before being returned to Freedom Hall. There, one officer allegedly told him he was “lucky” to possess international human rights credentials, implying that it may have spared him further abuse.
Ter condemned the incident as an act of ethnic-based harassment and a violation of his civil liberties.
“This was an arbitrary arrest and a clear act of intimidation. The government must ensure accountability within the security sector,” he said, calling on international partners to pressure South Sudan to end unlawful detentions and impunity.
Separately, Ruot George, a freelance journalist and activist, reported being briefly detained in the Custom area while photographing citizens heading toward Freedom Hall. He said security officers confiscated his camera equipment, ID card, and personal belongings.
“I was later released, but they are still holding my identification and other valuable items,” Ruot told local media. The two were later released without charges.
The detentions come amid growing criticism of the government’s handling of the high-profile court case, particularly the media blackout that barred independent journalists from entering the courtroom.
Civil society groups have condemned the incidents as part of a broader pattern of intimidation and shrinking civic space in South Sudan.
