Journalists Detained Over South Sudanese President’s Video Released
South Sudan’s National Security Service has released the remaining journalists who had been detained for weeks over a video apparently showing the country’s president urinating on himself at an event
JUBA, South Sudan — South Sudan’s national security service has released the remaining journalists who had been detained for weeks over a video apparently showing the country’s president urinating on himself at an event.
At least seven journalists from the public channel were arrested in January following the broadcast of the video of President Salva Kiir at the inauguration of a road project.
In a statement on Friday, the South Sudan Journalists Union said the two remaining journalists had been released. None of the journalists have been charged.
The union “will continue to engage with all stakeholders in the country to ensure that journalists work in a free and safe environment”, the journalists’ organization said.
The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation footage was released in December and widely shared online. It showed 71-year-old Kiir standing during the national anthem, then staring at what appeared to be a spreading stain, before the camera turned away.
One of the released journalists, Garang John, said in a Facebook post that his health had been “totally compromised” by the 60-day lockdown.
“I’m completely weak and tired but I’ll be fine,” he said.
ABC
