Police detain three suspects in rape case in Aweil West

AWEIL – Police in Aweil West County of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal state have arrested three young men accused of luring a woman with a drink and raping her during a marriage ceremony at Pantiit village on the outskirts of Nyamlel town.

Police investigator Philip Agany Thiep told Sudans Post that the incident took place on Monday at the marriage ceremony. Agany explained that the survivor of the rape, identified only by the first name Abuk, was lured into the act by one of the suspects named Akot Deng.

The later enticed her into a bush away from the celebration, initially offering her local brew to fulfill his nefarious desire to assault her.

Later, two other individuals joined Akot Deng, and together they assaulted the victim before leaving her alone.

“The three suspects are now in custody in Nyamlel. This woman allegedly claimed that she was taken into a forest by a man called Deng, who led her away from the marriage celebration and assaulted her after giving her local brew or alcohol, according to circulating rumors,” said Agany.

Agany added that the case is being brought to court by the attorney against the suspects, and they will face legal proceedings.

While the case has caused distress among the survivor’s family, it is being handled by the court.

Local medics at Nyamlel Hospital told Sudans Post that the survivor was promptly brought to them to address potential complications.

Lual Khamis Lual, the Deputy Director of Nyamlel Hospital, said emergency pills were provided to prevent pregnancy and protect her from potential infections, given the unknown statuses of the perpetrators.

“We provided her with emergency pills because we don’t know the statuses of the accused men, immediately gave her drugs to save her from pregnancy as nobody could ascertain whether ovulation might have occurred during the act and caused pregnancy,” he said.

“And other drugs to preempt infections were also given as the statuses of the men who committed the sexual assault are not known,” he added.

Lual mentioned that additional medical services, including therapy, are being administered for two weeks.

The survivor is currently under the care of trauma experts, who are providing counseling and therapy to address the psychological impact of the traumatic event.