Soldiers jailed for 2016 hotel attack

A South Sudan military court on Thursday convicted 10 soldiers for their role in the horrific 2016 attack on a Juba hotel in which five foreign aid workers were raped and a journalist killed. Judge Knight Baryano Almas said the men 'are guilty for their direct responsibilities in committing these crime'. Business Day reports that one suspect was acquitted while another, a military commander accused of overseeing the horrific attack, died in prison. Two soldiers were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of local journalist John Gatluak, as well as rape and other crimes. The others received sentences ranging from seven to 14 years for charges including rape, sexual harassment and looting. The court also ruled that the government must pay compensation of $4 000 to each rape victim and more than $2m to the hotel management for damage to the property.