Judge's gavel in courtroom - (Photo: Courtesy).

A High Court in Juba has ordered the release of three youth leaders from Warrap State and ended a long-running defamation case filed by former Minister of General Education, Awut Deng Acuil.

The three men — Machiek Dongrin, Marceelo Deng Magon, and Tingjok Ruben Dhal — had been facing charges under the South Sudan Penal Code after being accused of damaging the former minister’s reputation. A lower court in Juba had earlier refused to throw out the case in August 2025.

However, after the men challenged that decision, the High Court reviewed the case and delivered its final ruling on Thursday.

Speaking after the ruling, their lawyer, Keer Chol Deng, said the High Court found that the three men did nothing wrong and committed no crime.

The judge explained that their statements were protected by the constitutional right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution. The court added that expressing opinions or criticism does not amount to a crime under the law.

The case began in 2022, when former minister Awut Deng accused members of the Luanyjang youth community of defaming her after they publicly criticized the education authorities.

The dispute traces back to 2021, when Luanyjang youth representatives wrote to President Salva Kiir, claiming the minister had intentionally stopped Primary Eight pupils in parts of Tonj East County from sitting for their final exams, citing security reasons.

In its decision, the High Court said there was no damage to the former minister’s reputation or to the Ministry of Education. The court noted that the criticism focused on her official actions as a public office holder, not on her personal life.

As a result, the High Court overturned the earlier ruling and ordered the immediate release of the three men, unless they are being held for other reasons. All relevant authorities have been informed.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Mazin Shoul, according to reliable sources.