On Monday, South Sudan’s Deputy Chief of Defence Forces testified before a special court that he endured torture while held in custody.
Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 54, who also serves as the acting chief of staff for the SPLA-IO, described harsh treatment following his arrest on March 4, 2025.
He stated that authorities shackled him with chains and confined him under severe conditions at Jamus Ground Prison, operated by the SSPDF’s Department of Military Intelligence.
While testifying in the 98th court session at Freedom Hall in Juba, the general explained that his legs were secured with a three-kilogram chain secured by padlocks. He spent seven months in an underground cell, which he characterized as inhumane and degrading.
“The following morning, I was taken to an underground prison full of physical and mental torture gadgets,” Gen. Duop recounted.
“My legs were chained with 3 kilos of weight and locked with padlocks.”
He also noted that on April 11, 2025, three bodyguards of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar—Brig. Gen. Mark Didi Dhieu, Brig. Gen. Par Dang, and Major Hoth Chok—were moved to join him at the Military Intelligence Maximum Prison.
The senior officer reported suffering both physical and psychological abuse.
He claimed the conditions breached his rights, including being forced to sleep on the floor and receiving insufficient food and medical attention despite his hypertension.
Gen. Duop further detailed items seized during his arrest after violence erupted in Nasir County in March 2025.
These included two official military vehicles (a V-6 Toyota Land Cruiser and a Land Cruiser pickup), two PKM machine guns, 10 AK-47 rifles with ammunition, two pistols, two Samsung mobile phones (presented as court exhibits), along with personal effects such as a black watch, a gold finger ring, a command stick, military insignia, headgear, and document bags.
He indicated that some belongings were taken by the General Administration at Bilpam SSPDF Headquarters, while others were seized by the Military Intelligence Operations Directorate of the Ground Forces.
Presiding Judge Alala postponed proceedings until Monday, July 22, for the continuation of Gen. Duop Lam’s testimony.
Dr. Riek Machar remains under house arrest, while the other defendants are detained at National Security Service facilities in Juba.
The seven co-accused—Puot Kang Chuol (40), Mam Pal Dhuor (37), Gatwech Lam Puohc (67), Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam (53/54), Camilo Gatmai Kel (47), Mading Yak Riek (45), and Dominic Gatgok Riek (27)—face serious charges including murder, conspiracy, terrorism, treason, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors claim that SPLA-IO forces, allied with the White Army, killed 257 SSPDF soldiers (including commander Gen. David Majur Dak) in an assault on the Nasir military garrison in March 2025.
They also allege the destruction or seizure of military equipment valued at approximately $58 million.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty.
