N. Bahr el Ghazal denies arresting SPLM youth leader over 14 miles pause

January 18, 2013 (WAU) – Authorities from South Sudan’s border state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal on Friday denied reports connecting the arrest of the youth leader of the governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) branch office in the area, charging that the youth leader “misbehaved” and “refused to observe order”.

Garang Velantino Wol Kon Amoi, who is currently the chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Youth League in the state, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday from detention centre in Awei town, capital of the state that he was stopped and declared arrested without being notified or given letter of arrest.

He was, however, released without being charged on Monday evening after spending more than 24 hours in the detention, apparently after talking to the state Deputy Governor and other high ranking officials and officers, including police commissioner in the state, Major General Akot Deng Akot.

Jacqueline Nyibol Benjamin Ajonga, state minister of information plainly denied on Friday that the arrest was not in any way related or connected to reservations held by the citizens over the 14 miles area.

“The arrest has nothing to do with 14 miles area. It was misconduct. He harassed police and refused to stop when he was asked”, Ms. Ajonga told Sudan Tribune from Aweil town, capital of the state.

The minister, however, could not substantiate why the police supposedly the law enforcing agent could not follow legal procedures, including bringing out charges of the alleged misconduct and harassment

(ST)