JUBA – Social media is reacting to the SPLA-IO’s disclosure of an alleged death in custody of a former protection officer of Dr. Riek Machar, who was detained at Giada Military Barrack.
SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel has shared a photo of an emaciated man chained to the ground, claiming it is the victim’s. While multiple sources confirm that the officer had indeed died, the photo is an old one.
However, a thorough fact check through google reverse search, shows that the first photo in the grid was taken in 2011 at Rumbek Central Prison in Lakes State.
The photo and several similar shots taken from the inmate deemed mentally ill were taken by Tony Karumba, journalist working for French news agency AFP. They are published on the Getty Images website.
However, multiple SPLM/A-IO sources have confirmed that the officer in question, Captain Luka Gathok Nyuon, had indeed died on Thursday.
Col. Lam said Gathok had been held in hellish condition at the military detention cell along with several other officers since their arrest during the storming of Machar’s residence in April.
The opposition military spokesperson claimed the officer died following reccurrent torture and denial to medical attention.
“This morning, the SPLA-IO command learned with profound shock the death of patriot Cpt. Luka Gathok Nyuon at Jamus military detention in Juba where he and other protection officers of the FVP are unjustly arrested, detained, tortured and left for death,” Lam claimed.
