Slidell man released from South Sudan prison on bail, wife says - NOLA.com

By Katherine Sayre, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune The Times-Picayune
on November 26, 2012 at 10:59 AM, updated November 26, 2012 at 11:34 AM

Elton Mark McCabe, a Slidell man being detained in South Sudan, is now out of jail on bail and scheduled to appear in a courtroom on Thursday, his wife said Monday. McCabe, 52, was released on bail on Thanksgiving Day -- 40 days after he was first arrested by South Sudan security forces. McCabe, who traveled to the developing nation in search of business opportunities in August, has been accused of kidnapping, although the exact allegations have not been made clear.

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, in working for McCabe's release, has questioned the lack of evidence against McCabe and called on South Sudan officials to follow international judicial laws.

Elton Mark McCabe, 52 (Submitted by Anne McCabe)

McCabe, who had a massive heart attack last year, suffered a mild heart attack while in prison last week, heightening concerns over this health.

His wife, Anne McCabe, said Monday that McCabe had to surrender his passport before being released on bail.

McCabe appeared in court on Thanksgiving Day, and a judge overseeing the case didn't think the prosecution had enough evidence, according to his wife. But the judge gave prosecutors until Thursday to gather more evidence, she said.

"We're being asked to follow the rules with people who don't follow the rules," Anne McCabe said Monday. "How do you make sense of that?"

"Everybody is hoping that, at this point, the judge will throw it out, and it will be done," she said.

Elton Mark McCabe was first arrested by the South Sudan National Security Service on Oct. 14. Government officials released him on bail on Nov. 1, but he was immediately detained again by the security forces. Six days later, he was transferred to Juba Central Prison, where he suffered the heart attack.

He was then transferred to a local clinic, although Vitter's office had requested that he be allowed more extensive treatment in Nairobi, Kenya.

Vitter's office couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday.

Check back with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune for updates to this story.

By Katherine Sayre, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune The Times-Picayune
on November 26, 2012 at 10:59 AM, updated November 26, 2012 at 11:34 AM

Elton Mark McCabe, a Slidell man being detained in South Sudan, is now out of jail on bail and scheduled to appear in a courtroom on Thursday, his wife said Monday. McCabe, 52, was released on bail on Thanksgiving Day -- 40 days after he was first arrested by South Sudan security forces. McCabe, who traveled to the developing nation in search of business opportunities in August, has been accused of kidnapping, although the exact allegations have not been made clear.

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, in working for McCabe's release, has questioned the lack of evidence against McCabe and called on South Sudan officials to follow international judicial laws.

Elton Mark McCabe, 52 (Submitted by Anne McCabe)

McCabe, who had a massive heart attack last year, suffered a mild heart attack while in prison last week, heightening concerns over this health.

His wife, Anne McCabe, said Monday that McCabe had to surrender his passport before being released on bail.

McCabe appeared in court on Thanksgiving Day, and a judge overseeing the case didn't think the prosecution had enough evidence, according to his wife. But the judge gave prosecutors until Thursday to gather more evidence, she said.

"We're being asked to follow the rules with people who don't follow the rules," Anne McCabe said Monday. "How do you make sense of that?"

"Everybody is hoping that, at this point, the judge will throw it out, and it will be done," she said.

Elton Mark McCabe was first arrested by the South Sudan National Security Service on Oct. 14. Government officials released him on bail on Nov. 1, but he was immediately detained again by the security forces. Six days later, he was transferred to Juba Central Prison, where he suffered the heart attack.

He was then transferred to a local clinic, although Vitter's office had requested that he be allowed more extensive treatment in Nairobi, Kenya.

Vitter's office couldn't immediately be reached for comment Monday.

Check back with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune for updates to this story.