Riek Machar trial adjourned to September 23 over security concerns

The 115th session of the special court trying suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused has been adjourned to September 23, 2026, citing security concerns.

The session was scheduled for the court to deliver its ruling on applications filed by the defense and prosecution regarding how the fifth accused should present his defense statement.

Proceedings at the Freedom Hall in Juba started later than scheduled.

Presiding Judge James Alala told the court that the delay was linked to security arrangements.

He referred to an application submitted by the defense during the previous hearing, in which lawyers raised concerns over alleged security threats against members of the defense team and their eight clients, particularly the fifth accused.

Judge Alala directed the defense team to submit a copy of the application to the court and another to the prosecution.

When defense lead advocate Dr. Geri Raimondo attempted to read the contents of the application in court, Judge Alala did not allow him to proceed.

Prosecution representative Counsel Deng Achuil confirmed that the prosecution had received the application and said it would respond at the next session.

Judge Stephen Simon said the session had been scheduled for the court to rule on applications submitted by both sides.

He then announced the adjournment to allow a review of security procedures at the court.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 23.

The session proceeded without the first accused, suspended Oil Minister Puot Kang, and the fourth accused, General Gabriel Duop Lam.

The court was informed that both were absent for health-related reasons.

Four of the eight accused have so far presented their defense testimony, while the fifth accused and three others have yet to present their defenses.

The trial, which began last September, has been accompanied by heightened security measures around the court venue.

Streets leading to the Freedom Hall are routinely closed during hearings, while armed security personnel and armored vehicles are deployed around the court.

Court police and plainclothes security officers are also present inside the courtroom during proceedings.

The latest adjournment comes as the court continues to consider how the remaining accused will present their defenses, while the defense continues to raise security concerns surrounding the proceedings.