Aweil police officer who was detained for criticizing governor released without charges

JUBA – Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state have released a local police officer and member of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) who was detained for criticizing Governor Tong Aken Ngor in August for not doing anything to help as people starve to death.

Northern Bahr el Ghazal state police spokesman Captain Guot Guot said at the time that police officer Alou Abik Abik was arrested for involvement in political affairs of the state despite being a member of the ruling party itself where governor Ngor comes from.

“Of course, I am so happy because I was among the people who have been suffering by visiting him at least three times a day since his arrest,” Abik’s sister-in-law, Adual Deng told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday.

“But as he was freed yesterday (Tuesday), even though the authorities didn’t clarify whether the case ended or not, I am still happy because he is released and I don’t have many worries like before,” she added.

For his part, the executive director of Aweil Community Based Organizations Forum (ACBOF), Santino Deng Ngong, welcomed the release of the policeman and called for rule of law to prevail in all situations.

“As a civil society representative in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, I am happy to learn that the police officer has been released. It is a good time for taking the rule of law into account in a way that if someone went wrong, he must be brought to book after all the necessary investigations are made then the law will apply on him/her,” Deng said.

The state and police authorities prohibited the freed police officer from speaking to the media.