UPDATE: Detained lawyer released by NSS without charges

Kuoch Malek Deng Malek (Photo credit: supplied)

Kuoch Malek Deng Malek (Photo credit: supplied)

August 26, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – Detained South Sudan lawyer Kuoch Malek Deng who was arrested by the National Security Service (NSS) on Tuesday has just been released by the security institution without charges, family sources have said.

Malek was arrested on Tuesday after he was summoned to the NSS headquarters also known as the Blue House for allegedly questioning the government’s ability to deal with the ongoing economic crisis.

“Kuoch has just been released without charges. He has been warned against speaking to the media,” a close friend has confirmed.

Last week, South Sudan’s Central Bank announced that it has run out of foreign reserve exchange sparking controversial debate on social media amid calls for President Salva Kiir Mayardit to remove the finance minister and the Central Bank governor.

Kuoch later on wrote a number of social media posts criticizing economic policies of the government suggesting the removable of the finance minister and his replacement with vice-chancellor of the University of Juba John Akech.