Freetown — Acting Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Christopher Staker Tuesday submitted in his closing arguments, in the matter between the Prosecutor and the three accused of the Civil Defence Forces, that the latter are guilty of all charges brought against them at the Trial Chamber.

The three currently in the Court's detention facilities, Chief Sam Hinga Norman, Moinina Fofana and Alieu Kondewa; first, second and third accused respectively are standing trial allegedly as those bearing the greatest responsibility for crimes committed against humanity during the ten-year rebel war.

"It has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused are guilty of the charges brought against them. As authorities in CDF the three had the option of winning the war at all cost including punishing anyone who did not oppose the rebels. They attacked and unlawfully killed innocent civilians, inflicting violence and collective punishment and used children as soldiers," he argued adding that they also planned, instigated, aided and abetted the said crimes.

Staker argued the question is that "is there any reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the accused given the evidence before the court." He referred to possible arguments as could be submitted subsequently by the defence counsel regarding subordinates who committed crimes out of personal grudge and contrary to orders of the command structure of the CDF to which the accused belonged.

Staker further dismissed arguments on the systematic and widespread attacks on civilians contained in the final trial briefing of the accused as fanciful and unreasonable given the fact that similar attacks had occurred at different locations and time of civilian settlements.