Fact-check: No, Riek Machar’s defence lawyer’s office has not been raided

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

The claims on social media platforms that the National Security Service has today raided the office of Riek Machar’s defence lawyer, Kur Lual, are false and misleading.

Such an incident did not happen, and Kur, on his Facebook page, debunked it as not true.

“Some social media outlets have circulated news that Prof. Core & Associates Law Office was exposed to burglary and plundering documents, in addition to allegations that the defense attorney was exposed in the case of D. Riak Machar and others for security threats. We can confirm that this news is completely bare to true, the office has not been subjected to any burglary or looting, and neither of the lawyers have been subjected to threat of any kind from any side,” reads part of Kur’s statement posted on his Facebook page.

In addition to that, there have also been rumours that the defence team of Machar has been harassed, assaulted or arrested. But Warnyang Kir Warnyang, one of the defence lawyers, described it as “baseless slander”.

“Rumors going around about a defense attorney being harassed, assaults or arrests is just baseless slander. We strongly condemn the lack of context behind such deliberate rumors, since spreading such false news only harms the safety of our families, and distorts our focus on doing our professional duty in facing criminal suits,” Warnyang stated on his social media page.

Context:

Dr. Riek Machar and his 7 other associates are facing trial on charges related to the Nasir attack in March this year. The trial began on Monday this week in Juba before a special court instituted by the judiciary. As such, Machar and his co-accused have a legal defence team which comprises 6 lawyers.

Conclusion:

211 Check found the claim that Machar lawyer’s office has been raided by the National Security Service as false and misleading. The defence lawyers have debunked the claim as false and baseless.

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