By Makur Adut

A defense lawyer for a case of forced and early marriage has been attacked by a group of youth in Rumbek.

James Mourwel said he was attacked by the members of the party in a case where he was defending his client against forced and early marriage.

The advocate was attacked at his residence on Friday after the court ruling.

“The girl was under the age of 14 years old, and she was reported to our office. We had about three cases. We went to the court and the judgment was given.”

 “So, these people came and attacked me later. They came and beat me to the extent that I sustained injuries on my throat, and back of my neck,” he said.

Mourwel, who is hospitalized in Rumbek, promised to open a case against the attackers once he recovers fully.

“When I recover, I will take up the case to the police. This is the shortest statement I have to give because I am not in a state of good health,” he said.

Meanwhile, Daniel Laat Kon, a representative of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) condemned the attack on the defense lawyer and urged the authorities to bring the perpetrators to book.

“As CEPO, we condemned such an act and we are calling on the government to at least apprehend and bring to book the perpetrators for investigation through procedures in a competent court of law,” he said.

 “You cannot attack a defense lawyer who is defending a right of an individual.”

He said the attackers should have followed the rules, arguing that if the law had given a right to this lawyer, then they have 15 days to appeal instead of attacking him.

“The state has a responsibility to protect the defense lawyers, because they are licensed, they are authorized by constitution and other laws in the country.”

The medical director of Rumbek State Hospital, Doctor Terran Madit Terran said the victim is undergoing treatment and confirmed that his condition was stable.

“We found him a little bit stable, as a kind of generalized for the pain secondary to the contortion of pain on the veins and neck, chest and the back,” the doctor said.