Machar says denied adequate access to defense lawyers

JUBA — Suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar on Wednesday told the special court that he is being denied adequate access to his defense lawyers, arguing that the restrictions undermine his right to a fair trial.

Machar raised the complaint during the 102nd session of his trial after Presiding Judge James Alala Deng questioned why the defense team had arrived late.

“Your defense lawyers are not available. What happened?” Judge Deng asked the accused.

Machar, the fifth accused in the case, said he and the other defendants have little contact with their lawyers outside the courtroom and appealed to the court to ensure they are granted regular and unrestricted access to their legal team.

“We have no information because we only meet them here in court. We thought the court had more information. We don’t have access to them,” Machar told the judges.

Lead defense counsel Kur Lual Kur explained that the legal team’s late arrival was caused by a punctured tire while traveling to court.

Kur also complained that security authorities had repeatedly prevented the lawyers from meeting their clients despite prior requests.

“Last time we wrote a letter to the NSS requesting to meet the five accused. We reached his house at 10 a.m. and stayed outside the gate until 3 p.m. We were denied access to the five accused pending approval from above,” Kur said.

Judge Stephen Simon Binjigwa, a member of the three-judge panel, said the defense lawyers are permitted to meet the accused either at the Blue House or at Machar’s residence with the court’s approval.

“If you face challenges accessing any of the accused persons, report them to us,” Judge Simon said.

The court adjourned the hearing until August 3, 2026, when Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam is expected to continue presenting his defense.

The high-profile trial, which has attracted national attention because of the senior political and military figures involved, is being presided over by Judge James Alala Deng alongside Justices Stephen Simon Binjigwa and Isaac Pur Majok.

The prosecution is led by a 13-member team of lawyers drawn from the Ministry of Justice and other legal institutions, including Counsel General Deng Achuil Adija, Dr. Sabri Wani Lado, Serafino Simon Mizan, and Filberto Mayuot Mareng.

The accused are represented by a six-member defense team that includes Dr. Geri Raymond Legge, Kur Lual Kur, and Anis Tombe Augustino.

Investigations are being led by Maj. Gen. Basile Thomas Wani, assisted by Brig. Gen. John Dak, while Capt. Richard Gachi Apollo of the Internal Security Service is the complainant in the case.

Those on trial are Dr. Riek Machar, Puot Kang Chuol, Mam Pal Dhuor, Gatwech Lam Puoch, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Camilo Gatmai Kel, Mading Yak Riek, and Dominic Gatgok Riek.

The court is expected to continue examining evidence presented by the prosecution, including digital forensic material that prosecutors say links some of the accused to armed groups.