A forensic expert has told a special court in Juba that investigators were unable to access mobile phones and electronic devices belonging to Dr Riek Machar because the required passwords and a related computer were not provided.
Testifying on Monday, forensic analyst Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafhadi said the absence of passwords made it impossible to extract any data from Dr Machar’s phone and tablet for use in the ongoing trial involving the SPLA-IO leader and seven other co-accused.
Rafhadi told the court that he did not open the sealed evidence bag containing Dr Machar’s devices, explaining that without the passwords, there was no lawful or technical basis to proceed with the examination.
He further testified that local forensic capacity does not include tools capable of bypassing modern device security systems. According to Rafhadi, accessing the devices would require sending them to an overseas headquarters to be handled by the original equipment manufacturer.
“The devices remain intact and securely kept in a sealed evidence bag,” Rafhadi told the court, adding that there was no data from Dr Machar’s phone or tablet to present as evidence.
In a separate analysis, the forensic expert said data extracted from a device belonging to accused number four, Gabriel Duop Lam, showed activity he described as consistent with anti-government mobilisation.
Rafhadi also testified that information recovered from a Samsung phone belonging to accused number one, Pout Kang Chol, indicated what he termed real-time access to battlefield intelligence.
The court adjourned proceedings to Wednesday, when the forensic expert is expected to present further findings and analysis related to the case.
