The Minister of Information and government spokesperson, Ateny Wek Ateny has denied claims that his visit to Europe was linked to any attempt to arrest a UK-based government critic Simon Dee, following days of intense online speculation.
In a public statement posted on his Facebook page, Ateny dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting that his trip had nothing to do with pursuing or harming any individual.
“I came to Europe not to arrest anyone or even harm anyone. I’m the last human being to take law into my own hands,” Ateny wrote.
The clarification comes after social media was awash with conflicting claims some suggesting Ateny had travelled to the United Kingdom to initiate legal action against Simon Dee, while others alleged that the situation had dramatically reversed with rumors claiming the minister himself had been arrested.
However, Ateny pushes back against the narrative, stressing that such actions would be impossible without proper legal procedures.
“No sensible and sober individual would dare attempt to arrest anyone in Europe no matter his/ her status without due process of the law,” he added.
Despite addressing the speculation, Ateny did not reveal the exact purpose of his visit, noting that the outcome of his trip to London would be made public in due course.
He urged the public to avoid assumptions.
Simon Dee, a vocal UK-based critic of the Juba government, has consistently targeted senior government officials in his commentary, including Ateny and other top figures.
In his recent statements, Dee alleged that his relatives in Juba had been arrested by authorities for refusing to silence him a claim he described as unlawful, further fueling tensions and public debate.
