Western Bahr El Ghazal state Attorney Office ordered the release of two politicians and the court declared six police officers innocent, all detained since December accused of being involved in Wau’s deadly violence.
Former information minister Sebit Baptist Francis and state MP Cirilo Elias were released Monday evening from Wau Central Prison after the state legal prosecutor established there is no offense for their arrest, Voice of Hope reported.The two were among 24 detainees who went on hunger strike demanding that their files were presented to the special court trying suspects related to the violence that rocked the county last December.
Mr Baptist said in a phone call that the judicial system in the state was inefficient.
He added that the judiciary and the other institutions were not free to carry their tasks independently, but where controlled by the state government.
Mr Baptist lamented the miserable condition of other detainees still in detention.
He said during the hunger strike they were subjected to tough measures and detained in a room without proper ventilation.
Mr Baptist assured that his arrest and that of other politicians will help them win the trust and confidence of the citizens.
Mr Baptist said he spent nearly five months in detention since December.
The detainees in Wau central prison called off the hunger strike last Friday after their files reached the special court.
In a related development, Wau North Court on Tuesday released six of the 11 police officers detained in Wau central prison for alleged participation to Wau December’s violence.
After several sittings, the judge decided to release the six suspects because it was proved that there was no case against them.