Juba frees Sudanese embassy staff after days in detention
May 13, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan government has finally released an employee of the Sudanese embassy, whom they had detained in the capital, Juba for several days.
A high-ranking military intelligence officer told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that his office never expected anyone the day the Sudan embassy official was arrested.
He claimed Darjol’s phone possessed photos of military weapons, and snaps of strategic entrance and the exit of the military facility.
“This is an act of spying and no country, not even America, let alone Sudan which we know how it handles such matters because we were part of its military system, can let go without taking any action. This is a clear security matter”, said the military officer.
He defended actions taken against the Sudanese embassy official, stressing that the latter’s involvement in security matters was wrong.
The official, who preferred anonymity, dismissed as untrue reports that Darjol was badly treated while being detained by the military.
“You go and ask him and he himself will tell you how he was treated. He was treated well. I used to see him every day and make sure he is fed and allowed to talk to his family and Sudanese officials,” explained the senior military officer.
“We never denied he was under investigation. We informed the Sudanese embassy and that was how they knew he was with us”, he added.
The spokesperson of the South Sudanese army, Col. Philip Aguer also confirmed the release of the embassy staff, saying the decision was made on directives from “high authorities of the country”. He did not elaborate further, when asked by Sudan Tribune.
Last week, the Sudanese foreign affairs ministry demanded the immediate release of their embassy staff, claiming the latter had not violated any law warranting his arrest.
(ST)