Juba court indicts church leader over assassination attempt of Rumbek bishop

JUBA – A court in South Sudan’s capital Juba has indicted at least four people including a church leader over the 2021 assassination attempt against Rumbek Catholic Bishop Christian Carlassare.

A group of gunmen attacked Bishop Carlassare residence in Rumbek last April wounding the Bishop in the legs. The police in Rumbek arrested around 36 [people, most of whom were released over lack of evidence in involvement.

Last month, a court the court in Juba begun a cross-examination into the suspects, but on Wednesday, the court indicted four and released two others for lack of evidence in their involvement.

In the hearing, the court charged Priest John Mathaing with inciting and plotting the attack against the catholic priest, while Laat Makur Agok and Moris Ater for executing the attack on the bishop, and Samuel Maker for hiding the crime exhibits.

“The court found that the evidence presented is sufficient to file charges against the first (Priest John Mathiang), second (Moses Sabit Ater) , fifth (Laat Makur ) and sixth (Samuel Maker) accused under the indictment articles, 48, 55, 59  of South Sudan penal act 2008” Judge Alexander Saboni Sobic read out the charges.

The two suspects acquitted are Gabriel Dut Chol and Ngong Chol due to  in sufficient evidence against them.

“The court did not prove the involvement of the third [Gabriel Dut Chol] and fourth defendants [Ngong Chol]  in the beating and intimidation of the bishop, therefore, the court decided in accordance with the text of Article 226 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for the year 2008 Release them immediately unless they are wanted in other procedures”.

The next hearing is slated for March 14.