The Special Court has adjourned the treason trial of the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and other seven accused SPLM-IO members to Friday, October 3rd, 2025 after prosecutors requested an adjournment, citing the exhaustion of their lead investigator.
The investigator, who had testified about four of the accused, was deemed too exhausted to continue the complex trial on Wednesday.
Defense lawyers objected the adjournment, urging the court to proceed without interruption.
The judges, however, granted the prosecutors’ request, emphasizing the importance of a complete and credible examination of the case.
In a separate procedural decision, judges also ruled that cameras and recording devices will be barred from the courtroom during certain sensitive testimonies.
The court explained that the move was intended to protect the identities and safety of witnesses and suspects in what remains a politically sensitive trial, as updates will be provided via official statements outside the courtroom.
The court was established in mid-2025 to adjudicate those accused of orchestrating or participating in atrocities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, during the violent clashes in March 2025.
The trial commenced on September 22, 2025, with Machar and seven co-accused SPLM-IO officials facing charges such as treason, murder, and crimes against humanity.
The proceedings have drawn national and international attention due to their political sensitivity and the high-profile nature of the accused.
