A top police officer was arrested last week following reports alleging his involvement in torture and bribery.
Police spokesman Biar Mading Biar told SCR News that the Director of Public Security and Criminal Investigation Marial Nuor Jok was arrested and he is still under investigation.Mr. Mading said the case would be made public after investigators presented their reports.
He refused to comment on the charges because he said it would harm the investigations.
Mr. Nuor’s arrest follows President Kiir’s announcement during his speech on Martyrs’ Day that he had ordered the arrest of some senior officers reportedly involved in torturing and mistreatment of citizens.
Caretaker interior minister Gier Chaung Aloung said his government is determined to fight crime.
He added that Mr. Nuor is under investigation. If he is found innocent he will be reintegrated.
The minister said that the law has to fight those who act against public interests.
Inspector General of Police Achuil Tito Madut wrote to The Citizen newspaper that Mr. Nuor was suspected of accepting bribes in form of cash for houses, shops and plots.
He is also suspected of permitting the arbitrary arrest of civilians in illegally created public security detention facilities, to extort money and silence their families.
He is accused of arming his tribesmen to perpetuate disputes in Yirol West and East counties of Lakes State.
Mr. Nuor’s lawyer Kiir Chol told SCR News on the phone that his clients’ arrest was illegal and unconstitutional, claiming that it violates the Transitional Constitution.
Mr. Chol said his client was imprisoned in a military barracks and has not yet been seen by his family.