Twenty women who were arrested by the police in Jonglei State for protesting against the administration have been released on bail.

The women have confirmed their release.

The representative of the protesters, Dorkas Ayen, said they were beaten while in police custody and a pregnant woman miscarried.

“We have been released from jail and told to wait until another further notice whether we will go to court or not, but until now we are still waiting. Police beat us terribly and we have one woman who was beaten until she abortion (miscarried).”  She said.

The State Minister for Local Government and Law Enforcement, Wal Athieu Madol, says the women are awaiting trial in court.

He did not comment on accusation of police brutality. But he says some of the women are working in the organized forces.

“Some are indiscipline soldiers and the regulation of being in uniform cannot allow you to demonstrate openly. So this is another problem with them, three of them where found now to be soldiers.” He said.

However, the state Minister Judy Jonglei Boyoris says the government may not pursue the case in court.

“If you are released then (there) no need to ask again what charges or something like that. These are the procedures of the court. We don’t want to follow it. Maybe if there are genuine things that need to be taken to the court then that will be there.”  He said.

State Governor John Koang had earlier accused politicians of using the women to sabotage his government.