The SPLM/A-IO has again criticized the Special Court investigating the Nasir incident after Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol completed his testimony during the court’s 83rd session on Wednesday.
The court, which is hearing a case involving First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and several SPLM/A-IO officials, spent the session cross-examining Puot Kang over statements he made during previous hearings.
During his testimony, Puot denied allegations that he financed or supported armed youth involved in the Nasir violence.
He also challenged evidence presented by the prosecution, particularly findings from a digital forensic report that allegedly linked him to communications connected to the conflict.
Puot told the court that he had been arrested by the National Security Service (NSS) in March 2025 and that several vehicles belonging to him and the government were later seized.
He said he could not recall the vehicle registration numbers but maintained that the information had already been provided to investigators through his family.
The minister also outlined what he described as efforts by the First Vice President and other officials to prevent violence in the Sobat corridor.
According to Puot, discussions were held with local leaders, chiefs, and youth representatives in Nasir and Ulang counties in an attempt to ease tensions and allow the safe passage of barges to the area.
He said phone conferences involving local authorities produced agreements aimed at reducing tensions, including the withdrawal of armed youth from Nasir and the peaceful reception of barges by community leaders.
Puot further testified that an expanded presidency meeting held on March 3, 2025, adopted several resolutions, including measures to de-escalate the security situation in Nasir and plans for a National Security Council meeting to review broader security concerns.
Responding to questions about the prosecution's digital evidence, Puot rejected claims that certain messages extracted from his phone were authentic.
He argued that some contacts cited in the forensic report were not in his phone before his arrest and pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in dates, times, and content contained in reports presented by investigators.
He alleged that the evidence may have been manipulated while his devices were in the custody of security authorities, an accusation that has not been independently verified.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge James Alala Deng adjourned proceedings until June 5, 2026. The court is expected to hear testimony from businessman Mam Pal Dhuor, the second accused in the case.
The SPLM/A-IO continues to reject the Special Court, arguing that it is being used for political purposes and calling for the release of Dr. Riek Machar and other detained members of the movement.
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