No witnesses appear to defend South African ex-colonel in South Sudan trial
Juba — Defence witnesses did not appear in court to testify on Thursday in the trial of a South African national who faces the death penalty in South Sudan, on charges of conspiracy to overthrow the government. William John Endley served as an adviser to rebel leader Riek Machar, whose forces have been fighting those loyal to President Salva Kiir in a civil war since 2013. He was arrested in August 2016. A verdict in his case is expected next week. On Thursday, a high court in the capital Juba said none of the witnesses called by the defence appeared. "The defence case is closed and the final judgment will be given on the 23rd of this month," presiding judge Ladu Eriminio Sekwat said during the hearing. Endley’s lawyer Gardit Abel Gar said six witnesses had been served with a notification to testify, including a government minister. In addition to charges of conspiracy and the supply of weapons, Endley — a retired army colonel — was accused of espionage, waging an insurgency, sabota...
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