Five suspects arrested over murder of South Sudanese athlete

The Australian police have reportedly arrested five people in connection with the fatal stabbing of a South Sudanese athlete identified as Alier Riak.

The presenter of SBS Dinka Radio in Australia, Ajak Deng Chiengkou, said on Saturday that only five people had been apprehended out of the mob alleged to have attacked Alier. The law enforcers continue to hunt for more.

“This is what has happened now, five people have been arrested. The police announced on Saturday, that they have launched an investigation against the suspects,” he said in a recorded voice shared on SBS Dinka website.

The radio presenter stated that the police pledged to pursue and apprehend the rest of the suspects who were still at large.

“The police have now said that they are still pursuing those who were involved in the incident. If any of them is found, he will be arrested because those who were at the scene were many,” he said.

Ajak added that the police have appealed for help from those who might be having knowledge about the incident to call them to avail the necessary information.

Seeking justice

Last week, James Riak Ajak, the father of the slain basketball player, called for justice and deportation of those who were involved in his son’s death.

Riak said the assailants killed his son because of envy of his height, talent, his calibre and educational accomplishments.

“They stabbed Alier repeatedly till he died. They stabbed Kuol five times, and the youngest son, Ajak, was dragged over the floor until his knees were injured,” the bereaved father said.

“The other brothers are still alive. This is what drew me to Melbourne in the first place: I wanted to see what was going on and whether Melbourne is a city where visitors are attacked.”

The bereaved father raised a concern that the welcoming culture of South Sudanese had disappeared judging from the brutal attack on his son.

He advised South Sudanese living in Australia to control their children or deport them when they are unable to control them, adding that the death of his son should mark the end of such crimes among South Sudanese.

Alier was stabbed by more than 20 assailants on March 13, 2022, on Bourke Street in Dockland’s CBD, according to the Australian media. He was reportedly rushed to the hospital in Melbourne but later died.

His brother Kuol was also stabbed but luckily lived as the youngest brother was dragged on the floor until he sustained injuries on his knees.