JUBA, South Sudan — A Juba High Court granted bail to activist and government critic Morris Mabior Awikjok Bak on Friday after 18 months in detention. Bak, who was held by the National Security Service (NSS) following his abduction in Nairobi on Feb. 4, 2023, faces defamation charges brought by Gen. Akol Koor Kuc, Director General of the NSS’s Internal Security Bureau. Authorities acknowledged Bak’s detention and produced him in court in April.
Senior Advocate Kiir Chol Deng, representing Bak, confirmed that High Court Judge Francis Amum overturned a previous County Court decision, allowing Bak’s release on bail. Deng noted that the court recognized defamation as a bailable offense and argued that Bak’s continued detention was unjustifiable. Deng also disclosed that Bak faces additional charges of offenses against the state, which are pending in the Supreme Court.
“If the NSS fails to release my client, it will be a contempt of court,” Deng stated, warning of potential legal action against those who do not comply with the court’s order.
