Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The South African digital forensic expert on Monday submitted hash values related to electronic evidence during proceedings in the trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar Teny and seven co-accused.
Ratlhogo Peter Calvin Rafadi told the Special Court during the 60th session on Monday that the hash values were generated during the forensic analysis of electronic devices linked to the case.
“Hash value that demonstrates all cellphones we have here in court. I have previously exported them and labelled each of the accused persons and their handsets,” Calvin told the court.
Hash values are unique digital codes generated from electronic files and are used in forensic investigations to confirm that data has not been altered.
Machar’s lead defence lawyer, Dr Geri Raymond Legge, challenged the digital forensic expert, referring to the hash value as “mere paper” and not the hash values.
“Our response to what the witness submitted to this honourable court is not a hash value but mere paper. Hash value, my lord, is a raw material, which means real evidence, material evidence, and tangible evidence, which is extracted from the main device that is WhatsApp,” Dr Geri said.
Dr Geri described the hash value as just a mere paper without any signature, name, date, or stamp. Geri said.
“That is why we asked the court to open the phones of each and every accused person to affirm the content of the device, and therefore, we reject this piece of paper because it lacks value,” he said.
Lead prosecutor Ajo Ony’Ohisa accused the defense of introducing what he described as “preliminary issues” intended to create confusion in the court and delay the proceedings.
“We are in the middle of the cross-examination, and what they are bringing are preliminary issues meant to confuse the court and delay the proceedings. The defense is tactically dodging to question the witness on his report, which is before the court, which they should be doing. We ask the court to intervene in this behavior,” said Ohissa.
Presiding judge James Alala Deng rejected the defense application.
“The application is rejected, and the defense should continue with cross-examination, and it is admitted as a prosecution document,” said Deng.
The court adjourned the trial until Wednesday, March 18, to continue Rafadi’s cross-examination.
The three-judge panel presiding over the case is led by Presiding Judge James Alala Deng, sitting alongside Judges Stephen Simon Isaac and Pur Majok. The prosecution team comprises 13 lawyers drawn from the Ministry of Justice and other legal offices, reflecting the weight the state has placed on the case.
Senior members of the prosecution include Counsel General Deng Achuil Adija, Dr Sabri Wani Lado, Serafino Simon Mizan, and Filberto Mayuot Mareng.
They are supported by a team of advocates and legal officers, including Ajo Onyo Issa, Gabriel Mading Apach, Deng Mabior Deng, Philip Anyang Ngong, Ajak Mayol Bior, Martha Jobet Jermaiha, James Bone Michael, Peter Garang, and Butrouse Yai Adhiew.
The defence team consists of six lawyers: Dr Geri Raimondu Lege, Kur Lual Kur, Anis Tombe Augustino, Deng John Deng, Warnyang Kiir Warnyang, and Regina Akeriaw Deng.
Major General Basile Thomas Wani leads the prosecution’s investigations, assisted by Brigadier General John Dak. Captain Richard Gachi Apollo of the Internal Security Service is listed as the complainant in the case.
The eight accused persons are Puot Kang Chuol, 40; Mam Pal Dhuor, 37; Gatwech Lam Puoch, 66; Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, 53; Dr Riek Machar Teny, 73; Camilo Gatmai Kel, 47; Mading Yak Riek, 45; and Dominic Gatgok Riek, 27.
With the digital forensic report now formally part of the court record, attention is expected to shift to the expert’s testimony and cross-examination, which could significantly shape the direction of the high-profile trial.
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