Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, SPLA-IO acting chief of staff - Credit: Awan Moses/Eye Radio | April 08, 2022

The fourth defendant in the Nasir case, General Gabriel Duop Lam, has denied sharing sensitive security information with foreign ambassadors, telling the Special Tribunal that his contacts with diplomatic representatives were authorized under the Revitalized Peace Agreement and through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Special Tribunal concluded its questioning of General Gabriel Duop Lam on Wednesday, August 5, focusing on the property in his possession at the time of his arrest, his contacts with foreign diplomats, military detention facilities, and his alleged links to the Nasir incident.

General Duop Lam told the court that he was arrested at army headquarters while in possession of eleven Kalashnikov rifles belonging to guards, two pistols, two PKM machine guns, two mobile phones, a gold ring, a watch, two bags, and other personal belongings.

He said he instructed the guards not to resist and to surrender their weapons.

The court also questioned him about whether he had shared security information with foreign ambassadors, including the United States ambassador, and whether senior army officials were authorized to communicate with foreign diplomats.

General Duop Lam said the Revitalized Peace Agreement allowed him to communicate with peace partners and political parties that were members of the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanisms.

He said his meetings with foreign ambassadors were authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and denied sharing sensitive information or details related to the peace agreement with diplomats.

The fourth defendant was also questioned about a military detention facility allegedly linked to intelligence.

General Duop Lam told the court that, according to the military structure, there was no prison belonging to military intelligence, saying such facilities should fall under the military police.

He acknowledged visiting the facility once while serving in a senior military position, saying he found about 400 people detained there, including civilians who had allegedly been arrested while attempting to flee to Libya.

The court further questioned General Duop Lam about local youth in Nasir and his alleged relationship with Tor Gile, who has been identified in the proceedings as one of those accused of being primarily responsible for the Nasir incident.

General Duop Lam denied knowing Tor Gile, saying the SPLM-IO had more than 3,000 officers holding the rank of lieutenant colonel.

When asked whether he knew that Tor Gile’s name appeared on a proposed promotion list submitted to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, General Duop Lam said Tor Gile had been selected by the people of Nasir as their youth leader, but that he did not know the circumstances behind his selection.

The court also asked whether his mobile phone was unlocked when he was arrested. General Duop Lam confirmed that the phone was unlocked.

The Tribunal then concluded its questioning of the fourth defendant and adjourned the proceedings.

The next session is scheduled for August 7, when the court is expected to hear testimony from the fifth defendant, suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.