Fact-check: No, Dr. Machar’s lead defence lawyer has not been abducted in Juba.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

The claim on social media that Dr. Riek Machar’s defence lawyer, Dr. Geri Raimondo Legge, was abducted on Wednesday by the National Security officers in Juba is false. 

Earlier this morning, some social media platforms published claims saying that Geri was picked up by “men in unmarked vehicles” and taken to unknown locations.

Screenshot of the claim

However, there is no official public confirmation from the Machar defence team in Juba, as well as government institutions.

Besides, according to Radio Tamazuj, Geri debunked the claim as fake and not true. 

“I am senior counsel Dr. Geri, currently present at [the] Mudiriya courts in Juba. What is going on social media is fake and not true,” Radio Tamazuj quoted Legge during an interview today regarding the claim.

“All the security is very cooperative with us. These are people giving us security by protecting us, and they are happy with me because I’m defending our country, South Sudan,” he adds.

Dr. Machar and his 7 co-accused are facing trial in a special court set up in Juba on cases of murder, treason, crimes against humanity, and terrorism related to the Nasir conflict in March this year.

Verification:

211 Check reviewed social media pages of other defence lawyers and found no confirmation of the claim about Geri’s abduction.

Conclusion:

The claim on social media that defence lawyer Dr. Geri Raimondo was kidnapped on Wednesday by the National Security officers in Juba is false, and the media report indicates that the claim is fake.

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