Audio By Carbonatix
Thirteen South Sudanese soldiers have gone on trial accused of raping foreign aid workers and murdering their local colleague.
The incident in the capital, Juba, last July resulted in a UN report which accused UN peacekeepers of failing in their duty to protect civilians.
It happened as rival forces in the civil war clashed in the city.
The soldiers' lawyer said the allegations were untrue, Reuters news agency reports.
The incident happened in a rebel-controlled area, he added
Peace efforts have failed to bring an end to the three-and-a-half-year-old conflict, which has seen forces loyal to President Salva Kiir fighting troops who back former Vice-President Riek Machar.
The defence lawyer denies the accused were involved in the crimes
The trial concerns an attack on the Terrain Hotel, home to aid workers from a number of international organisations.
Its manager, Mike Woodward, has been giving evidence at the military court in Juba, Reuters reports.
Between 50 and 100 soldiers entered the compound, looted the place and then raped five women, he is quoted as saying.
The defence lawyer says the compound was in a rebel-held part of the city, implying that government troops could not have been responsible.
Some of the victims have given harrowing testimony to the BBC. They spoke of what had happened to them and said their calls for help from the UN had gone unanswered.
A UN investigation backed their claims that peacekeepers had refused to respond when the compound was attacked.
The incident happened during three days of fighting in which at least 73 people were killed, including more than 20 internally displaced people who had sought UN protection. Two peacekeepers also died.
Overall, tens of thousands of people have died in the war and millions have been displaced.
Latest Stories
-
Google unveils biggest-ever Street View expansion in Ghana with sharper imagery and wider coverage
7 minutes -
There is ‘zero chance’ Mahama will appoint a politically neutral EC deputy chairperson — Kofi Bentil
19 minutes -
Sophia Akufo proved political appointees can remain impartial – Kofi Bentil
20 minutes -
APSU 2002 launches GH¢5.4m teachers’ apartment project ahead of St Augustine’s 97th anniversary
1 hour -
Ansa-Asare criticises Council of State, says body has become “100% partisan”
2 hours -
Sophia Akuffo’s council of state appointment was constitutionally flawed from the start — Ansa-Asare
2 hours -
Ofori-Atta’s US green card is “a victory” but no shield against extradition – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
Wa West MP pushes for revival of stalled Dorimon E-Block, tackles urgent kindergarten furniture shortage
2 hours -
OSP’s procedural failure on Ofori-Atta gave US immigration court the opening it needed – Ansa-Asare
2 hours -
I advised Ofori-Atta to return home and face charges – Ansa-Asare
3 hours -
Ofori-Atta saga was not fair, infringed on his dignity – Ansa-Asare
3 hours -
Ken Ofori-Atta would be in danger of assault if he returns to Ghana – Kofi Bentil
3 hours -
If Ofori-Atta has nothing to fear or hide, he should return and face charges – Clement Apaak
3 hours -
Ofori-Atta’s reported Green Card status signals US does not fully agree with Process – Kofi Bentil
4 hours -
High Court issues interim injunction over Afigya Sekyere East NPP polling station album
4 hours