South Sudanese journalist released after 8 days in detention
![South Sudanese journalist released after 8 days in detention South Sudanese journalist released after 8 days in detention](https://citizentv.obs.af-south-1.myhuaweicloud.com/56740/conversions/Magot-og_image.webp)
VOA freelance journalist Diing Magot, seen in this undated photo, has been released from detention after her arrest in South Sudan's capital on August 7, 2022, while covering a protest.
A female journalist who was arrested in South
Sudan's capital on August 7, 2022, while covering a protest over high food
prices has been released from detention.
Diing Magot, a freelance correspondent for
the Voice of America, was arrested at Konyo-konyo market along with six
protesters for working without an identification document.
Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Juba demanded
that Magot be released "immediately," and stated that journalists
have the right to do their work without interference or harm.
According to Magot's lawyer, Seven Wani,
Magot was released Monday on bail, pending further investigations into her
case.
"The bail does not mean that this case
has been dismissed," her lawyer said. "Once the investigation is
done, the matter will be transferred to court. This is to say that the case is
still ongoing and all the accused ... will be summoned to court if the matter
is transferred to court."
The release of the journalist brought much
relief to her family.
"Ever since her arrest, as a family we
have been trying to knock on doors, even doors of government officials, so that
they are able to give an ear to her case and speedily remove her from
detention," said Diing Magot's sister Ayen.
South Sudan is ranked 139th out of 180
countries on the World Press Freedom Index. The index says journalists in South
Sudan have faced harassment, arbitrary detention, torture, and even death in
instances where they did not practice self-censorship.
Ayen Magot discussed the repercussions of
journalist arrests in South Sudan, which she believes will dissuade young
people from pursuing careers as journalists.
"This is a noble profession and there
are young people out there who have dreams to become journalists," she
said. "What happens to them in such situations? They are looking, they are
watching, they will be told, no, don't enter, don't enter this profession
because it is risky."
Oyet Patrick Charles, president of the Union
of Journalists of South Sudan, confirmed the release of Diing Magot. He noted
that she was detained beyond the hours permitted by the constitution, on the
grounds that the state attorney requested more time to consider her case.
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