South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar’s former spokesman James Gatdek Dak appeared in court in the capital Juba, nearly 10 months after being deported from Kenya to the capital Juba where he was immediately detained by security officials.

Just before his deportation to Juba in November last year, Gatdet had expressed his support for the removal of a Kenyan general of a United Nations peacekeeping force accused of failing to protect civilians after the outbreak of war in Juba in July last year.

A top government official, on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj this afternoon that Gatdet had been taken to court, without elaborating.

“This thing is ongoing but we don’t want to comment on it until the issue reaches its final stage. It is true that Gatdet appeared in court since last week and the process is ongoing but I cannot give you more details,” he said.

The charges brought against the former rebel spokesman remains unclear.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir’s spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny and military spokesman Lul Ruai Koang denied knowledge of the trial.

Senior opposition official Manawa Peter Gatkuoth said they heard that Gatdet Dak had been taken to court in Juba, pointing out that they have not been informed officially about the matter.

REPORT: RADIO TAMAZUJ