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JUBA, South Sudan – The verdict and conviction of 11 South Sudanese soldiers accused of raping foreign aid workers and murdering a local journalist during the country's five-year civil war will be announced Thursday and could include the death penalty.
An Associated Press investigation in 2016 revealed that dozens of soldiers broke into the Terrain Hotel in Juba where they killed a local journalist, raped international aid workers and assaulted others.
The verdict, which should be followed by foreigners and diplomats, will take place in a military court eight months after the end of the trial. If they are convicted of rape, the soldiers risk up to 14 years in prison and if convicted of murder, they can be sentenced to death.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty. A twelfth soldier was charged, but died of illness in detention earlier this year while he was being tried. Both the prosecution and the defendants will have 15 days to appeal the verdict, said the military.
The trial, which began last May, is widely seen as a test of South Sudan's ability to hold its soldiers accountable. The army hopes the trial will act as a deterrent to other soldiers, while sending a message to the civilian population that anyone who commits a crime will be punished, army spokesman told AP. Colonel Domic Chol Santo.
"It is important because the army has been charged with rape, sexual harassment and any form of violation and this is not part of our doctrine," Santo said.
Terrain Hotel Director Mike Woodward has been closely involved in the case and says he is satisfied with the procedure and is looking forward to the verdict.
"Every soldier on trial has been identified by at least one, if not multiple victims or witnesses, as with all normal court proceedings, we hope to be compensated for our losses, for criminals to be punished and for one example to be discouraging. others to commit similar crimes in the future, "Woodward said.
"I was waiting for this moment for two years, where I felt so lonely during this period," said AP one of the rape victims, who does not use the names of the victims of aggression sexual. She was the only survivor to return to South Sudan to testify in person at the trial.
"I really hope this fight will be positive," she said. "And that it will set a precedent for other crimes and for other women who are abused and who do not have a voice."
