Ateny: Four alleged corruption detainees released on ‘strong bail’ for medical treatment abroad

Government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny says at least four officials detained over alleged corruption were released on what he called “strong bail” to travel abroad for medical treatment.

He declined to reveal their identities, saying their release on medical grounds does not amount to clearance from the allegations against them.

Speaking to journalists in Juba on Monday, Ateny said the officials were released on medical grounds but remain subject to the ongoing investigations.

“Instead of allowing them to die in the cells, they were given a strong bail so that they go for medical attention abroad,” Ateny said.

Ateny declined to disclose the identities of those released, citing legal concerns and saying that individuals who have not been convicted should not be publicly treated as guilty.

The development comes more than six months after a wave of arrests began in late February, targeting former officials linked to South Sudan’s financial and oil sectors.

The arrests began on February and included former senior officials, among them former Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol, who was arrested on February 27 while reportedly attempting to cross into Uganda.

Other detainees included former Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater, a former commissioner general of the revenue authority, a former Petroleum Ministry undersecretary, and a National Security general previously posted to the Petroleum Ministry.

The government said the arrests were not politically motivated, but were linked to alleged financial irregularities and malpractice under investigation by a government committee.

The detentions sparked calls from civil society groups for due process and clarity on the allegations against those arrested.

However, the government has not publicly disclosed the full details of the allegations against all those detained, nor has it announced convictions arising from the investigations.

Ateny said the officials released on medical grounds had not been cleared of the allegations against them.

“They have not been cleared by release on medical ground,” he said, adding that their release was intended to allow them to seek medical attention abroad.

He also declined to name the officials, saying doing so could amount to prejudging individuals who have not been sentenced.