SPLA SOLDIERS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR JONGLEI CRIMES

October 24, 2013: South Sudan’s army (SPLA) announced that military courts have sentenced to death some of the 31 soldiers arrested on charges of murder, rape and human rights violations in the troubled eastern state of Jonglei.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune at the base of the SPLA in Bilpam located outside Juba, the military’s spokesperson Philip Aguer said that those found guilty had been dismissed from the army, while others had been jailed.
"So these 31 soldiers were arrested in various counties between Pibor, Bor and Akobo and they were sentenced. Some were found guilty and dismissed from the army and some others were jailed for various number of years ranging from one year to five years", Aguer said.
Five soldiers convicted of murder were sentenced to the death penalty. Two soldiers face prison sentences after being found guilty of rape. The majority, 24, were charged with misconduct due to frequent drinking. All the cases were heard in a military court. (Sources: sudantribune.com, 24/10/2013)