Juba Court is Calling for My Trial on 26th April 2012

I received a letter (written in classical Arabic and starting with Islamic Koranic verse) from a court police today, 24th April 2012. The letter is handwritten in blue pen. It is not in official headed paper except for an unclear stamp of Juba Court Police. I wish I have a scanner to let you see the copy of its original shape.

The letter is about the politicized case where I was accused of having criticized the former President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, in some of my opinion articles written between January 2010 to July 7, 2011, especially the one titled " South Sudan Paradox: Joyful Independence, Sorry Leadership"

From their written reports about me, which I managed to read, my opinions have been criminalized by Minister of Justice John Luk Jok, President's Legal Advisor Telar Riing, Minister of the Office of the President Emmanuel Lowilla, Director of Presidency Protection Unit Lwal Wek, etc., and charged under crimes against the state as per criminal laws of former Southern Sudan, which was part of the Sudan.

But someone would wonder which state was there called Southern Sudan before the declaration of South Sudan Republic on 9th July 2011. Were we not in the Republic of the Sudan by then? Where in the world are opinions considered crimes against the state?

Below is the translation of the letter from Arabic Language.

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(BEGIN)

In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful and Compassionate

 Juba County Court

Date: 20/4/2012

Subject: Court Summoning Announcement to James Okuk

It is hereby requested that you appear in front of Justice Deng Abdallah in Juba County Court on Thursday, 26/4/2012 at Eleven O'clock in the morning.

Thanks

Signed by Court Officer

(END)

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 No doubt, when South Sudanese are trying to unite now against Jellaba's occupation threats, some unpatriotic guys are busy running after some of us who don't fear to state their opinions clearly and truthfully. They will fail even if they conspire to put me in their oppressive jail. Truth has never been defeated finally.

Please call upon those who value the freedom of opinion and speech to turn up and be in solidarity with me that day in Juba County Court. Dr. William Kon Bior, the Chairman of South Sudan Advocates Union has volunteered to be my lawyer.

Regards,

Dr. James Okuk, Juba.