Today Mary was arrested in Pibor when she went to cast her vote in the election.
I was only able to talk with her briefly. She sounds ok and is no longer in custody, although I believe she is extremely shaken up and feeling bruised.
From what I understood, she went to the polling station in Pibor to caste her vote. She said they tried to turn her away at first, but then several of them agreed to let her go if she was just going to vote. A few minutes later soldiers and police showed up and took her by force from the station. They kicked and beat her until she almost lost consciousness. After some time they took her to the MSF hospital. She was treated there and then discharged.
They said they were arresting her because she was taking pictures of the polling station with her phone. She showed them the phone and showed them that there were no photos. When they let her out of the hospital, they also told her she was free to go.
They told her something along the lines of , “oh sorry, lets forgive each other and just don’t tell anyone what happened here”.
I’m posting this, but also concerned if someone catches wind of it there. Are they going to do more harm to Mary if they find out she has told someone? Mary says she is planning to leave Pibor as soon as she can get transport. The vehicle she has been using broke down today though and she is not sure how to get out.
I’m stressing a bit.
