https://defendlawyers.wordpress.com/2025/12/05/south-sudan-lawyer-attacked-in-police-station-over-forced-marriage-case/awyer Adhet Beaten at Juba Police Station Over Forced Marriage Case
Popular lawyer Josephine Adhet Deng says she was assaulted on Wednesday at the Northern Division Police Station by men she alleges were sent by former Warrap Governor Gen. Manhiem Bol Malek, amid a long-running forced marriage case involving a teenage girl.
Adhet told Radio Tamazuj she had gone to answer accusations of kidnapping the girl, who is under the Ministry of Gender’s protection, when about eight men attacked her at the station gate in full view of police. She later sought treatment and opened an assault case.
The dispute dates back to 2022, when the girl, then 14, fled an arranged marriage and was placed under Adhet’s guardianship to continue her studies. This year, the family allegedly renewed pressure to marry her off for cattle and a car. In November, the girl was reportedly taken from school and later from a police station by her uncles before escaping again to the Gender Ministry.
MP Jok Dut Malek denies knowledge of the case. Gen. Manhiem Bol Malek could not be reached.
Adhet says she will continue defending the girl’s right to education despite ongoing threats.
South Sudan: Lawyer attacked in police station over forced marriage case
