JUBA, June 20 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese army (SPLA) on Tuesday issued formal charges against 12 soldiers facing trial in the General Court Martial (GCM) for raping aid workers and murder during the renewed July 2016 clash in Juba.
SPLA prosecutor Lt. Col Mayil Jiek presented more than 10 charges against the suspects ranging from rape, murder, sexual harassment, causing grievous harm, disobedience of lawful orders to criminal trespass.
"Based on the evidence of the investigation the suspects are facing charges of murder, rape, sexual harassment, looting, property damage, causing grievous harm and violation of law and order under the SPLA Act 2009," he revealed before further hearing was adjourned for July 4.
Mayil disclosed that the army investigations team prior to opening criminal proceedings against the accused interviewed 54 people inside South Sudan and six outside the war-torn country implicating the suspects.
"The accused were identified after the committee summoned 54 people in South Sudan and six outside. The witnesses outside the country sent their statements through email," he added.
The prosecutor also revealed that of the 26 vehicles stolen, 11 have been recovered and also dropped murder charges against two of the accused though rape charges remain.
SPLA spokesman Col Santo Domic Chol said that the GCM will visit on July 3 the terrain hotel scene of the heinous crimes to help with speedy trial.
"On July 3 there is going to be a site visit to terrain where the prosecution and the defense with the court will have to visit the site so that they see things and all the damages for themselves," he said.
"Most of the witnesses and victims are still outside the country in totality of 60 witnesses only six are foreigners still outside the country but the rest could be found inside South Sudan and may be from neighboring countries of East Africa," Chol said.
Defense Counsel Peter Lual Deng said that some of the suspects were from different army units and may not have committed the crimes and asked the prosecution team to adduce more evidence implicating the suspects, since they were arrested on recommendation of the August 2016 investigation team formed by President Salva Kiir.
South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to fighting that pitied mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.
The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital forcing the rebel leader Machar to flee into exile.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced over 2 million from their homes, and forced more than 1.5 million to flee into neighboring countries.
