The Special Court in Juba has set Wednesday, August 12, to rule on an application filed by the defence of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar concerning the recording of his testimony.

The defence is asking the Court to allow the proceedings involving Machar’s testimony to be recorded in both video and audio, while also submitting a written version of the testimony to the Court.

The defence argues that recording the proceedings in video and audio, together with a written record, would help preserve the testimony and prevent possible alteration, cutting, deletion or editing.

It also says the proposed arrangement would save judicial time and give the judges sufficient opportunity to listen to and carefully consider Machar’s testimony.

The Special Court, presided over by Justice James Alla, had adjourned proceedings last week to allow the Prosecution to respond to the application.

During Monday’s 106th hearing, Prosecution representative Ajo Ohisa submitted the Prosecution’s response to the Court. The contents of the response were not disclosed in open court, but a copy was handed to Machar’s defence team.

The Prosecution has previously raised objections to the application, arguing that a similar proposal had been made for the remaining accused persons to submit their testimonies in written form.

According to the Prosecution, the defence had rejected that proposal at the time, and the Court had upheld the defence’s position.

The Prosecution has also objected to Machar personally submitting the application, arguing that it should have been filed through his defence team in line with the Court’s procedures.

It therefore asked the Court to strike the application from the record, describing it as procedurally irregular.

The Court is expected to consider the submissions from both sides before delivering its ruling on Wednesday, August 12.