The Special Court hearing the Nasir incident case has ordered the immediate removal of security personnel whose names emerged in an investigation into alleged threats against former First Vice President Riek Machar, his co-accused and their defence lawyers.
The directive was issued on Wednesday during the court’s 118th session at Freedom Hall, following security concerns raised by Machar’s defence team.
Presiding Judge James Alala Deng ordered the affected court police and security personnel to stop attending proceedings while the matter is addressed.
The court did not publicly identify the officers concerned.
The court also ordered security forces to provide protection for Machar, the other accused and their lawyers while travelling between their respective locations and the courthouse.
Security personnel were further directed to secure the routes used by the accused and their defence teams, including clearing roads during their movements to and from court.
The defence had previously raised concerns over alleged threats to the safety of the eight accused and members of their legal team.
Details of the alleged threats have not been publicly disclosed, with the court treating the matter as sensitive.
The security concerns have been before the court for several weeks.
During the 115th session on September 11, proceedings were adjourned after the defence raised concerns over alleged threats against Machar, his co-accused and their lawyers.
The court subsequently began examining the issue before issuing the latest directives.
Machar and seven co-accused are being tried before the Special Court on the Incident of Nasir over violence in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, in March 2025.
Prosecutors allege that forces aligned with Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), together with the White Army, attacked a military garrison in Nasir and killed government soldiers, including military commander General David Majur Dak.
The prosecution has also brought charges including treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property and crimes against humanity.
The accused have denied the allegations.
The trial has been underway at Freedom Hall in Juba since September 2025 and has passed more than 100 sessions.
Recent proceedings have included disputes over Machar’s defence testimony, access to lawyers and requests concerning the recording of proceedings.
The latest security directives add another layer to the proceedings as the court prepares to consider pending applications from both sides.
The case has been adjourned until Friday, October 2, 2026, when the judges are expected to deliver rulings on applications submitted by the defence and prosecution.
