Bor police release brothers who killed sister over marriage
Two men accused of beating their teenage sister to death for rejecting an arranged marriage have been freed without charges.
Police in Bor, Jonglei State, released two men on Sunday who allegedly beat their 18-year-old sister, Ajok Kelei, to death on November 5. Ajok had rejected two previous engagements and was killed during her third attempt to marry a suitor preferred by her family. Forced marriage, often involving significant bride wealth, is common in South Sudan's pastoralist communities.
The caretaker commissioner of Bor County, Daniel Deng Panchol, stated the suspects' release was painful and that an investigation would still occur. He explained Ajok had twice escaped her family's preferred suitor before being forcibly returned and beaten. The suspects, identified as the girl's brother and cousin, were released after the deceased's family demanded it, citing kinship. Commissioner Deng expressed shock at the release, noting the justification given was that one suspect needed to write secondary education exams.
Bol Deng Bol, executive director of INTREPID South Sudan, condemned the incident, calling it unjustifiable and evidence of a weak justice system, noting two similar cases in Jonglei last year. He argued the police should have forwarded the case to court as a matter of public interest, even without an official complaint. Under South Sudan's Penal Code, murder carries a potential death penalty or life imprisonment.