allAfrica.com: Liberia: Prosecution Witness Describes Threats Against Him and His Family in Sierra Leone; Cross-Examination Continues (Page 1 of 2)

Liberia: Prosecution Witness Describes Threats Against Him and His Family in Sierra Leone; Cross-Examination Continues

The monitors of former President Charles Taylor's trial report for www.charlestaylortrial.org

Prosecution Witness Describes Threats Against Him and His Family in Sierra Leone; Cross-Examination Continues

Threats Allegedly Made to Sesay and his Family

On his ninth day of testimony, the 23rd Prosecution witness — Alimamy Bobson Sesay, dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt — began with a dramatic announcement. On Sunday morning at 9 a.m. he had received a phone call from his younger brother who lives in Freetown with a cousin. Some men had entered the yard and the house, threatening them and telling them they were waiting for Sesay to return to Sierra Leone so they can "eliminate" him. His brother and cousin have reported this incident to the local authorities.

Prosecutor Nicholas Koumjian indicated that he had been informed of this incident and said he would further investigate the matter. He again applied to have the public record redacted to remove references to locations of the Sesay's family members. Morris Anyah for the Defense responded that proper steps had been taken to take the matter to the local authorities, but that this incident had no correlation to the testimony for the following reasons: (1) no names of people or streets were mentioned, (2) the Witness has been giving evidence since 2006 relating to the RUF accused and therefore his name has since then been in the public domain, which has caused problems in the past, yet the Witness has chosen to testify in open court, and (3) the questions were relevant. Anyah therefore objected to redaction of the public record.

The judges deliberated for quite some time, during which Judge Sebutinde asked the Prosecution about the circumstances under which it had been possible for the Witness to receive an unsupervised phone call, to which both the Prosecution and the Registry had no answer. The Presiding Judge concluded that the Court: (1) noted the Witnesses' concern; (2) noted that the matter had been taken to the local authorities and (3) considered the evidence that the Witness had given testimony in public in the past and therefore denied the Prosecution's motion.

This matter being settled, Morris Anyah continued his cross-examination relating to subjects including Sesay meeting Isaac Mongor (previously a Prosecution witness in this trial) in The Hague as well as in Pedemba Road Prison; the source of arms and ammunition transports during the UN weapon embargo in 1997 and 1998; the formation of the Special Task Force (STF) and the Red Lion Battalion, and the composition and amount of fighters therein.

During the day Charles Taylor showed a keen interest and took many notes.

West Side Boys

Sesay testified that in September 1998 Dennis Mingo ("Superman"), Mike Lamin and others were arrested by the West Side Boys. This arrest took place after the return of Johnny Paul Koroma. At this time there were still RUF Commanders with the West Side Boys, such as Lieutenant Colonel Staggar (sp) and Captain Junior. In October 1999, there were approximately 1,000 members of the West Side Boys, including about 400 SBU's. According to the Witness, upon the arrest of Dennis Mingo, Mike Lamin and others, no RUF members tried to leave the West Side Boys, but he admitted that these arrests did have a negative effect on the relationship between the RUF and the West Side Boys.

Transportation of arms and ammunition

Sesay testified that during the period of May 25 until June 6, 1998 (the day of his arrest) he had no knowledge of reference to communications between RUF Commanders and/or AFRC Commanders and Charles Taylor about weapon deliveries. Sesay heard (while he himself was present) Sam Bockarie mention to Dennis Mingo that the arms and ammunition came from Liberia through Charles Taylor. Sesay has not heard direct radio communications between Sam Bockarie and Charles Taylor. Sesay has not had communications with John Paul Koroma between February 1998 and July 1999, so he has no knowledge if Koroma went to Liberia to obtain arms.

Sesay was shown a map of Liberia with the numbers of soldiers demobilized per region between November 1996 and February 1997, with a total of 21,315. Sesay gave evidence that even during this demobilization there were a lot of arms around, especially outside Monrovia. Sesay was aware that in 1997 and 1998 there was a weapons embargo in Sierra Leone and Liberia, but there was still fighting going on.

Sesay agreed that the arms and ammunition delivery at Makburaka Airfield took place in October 1997. He himself was present as was S.O. Williams, Chief of Staff, and many other RUF commanders. Sesay knew Foday Lansana and Perry Kamara, both radio operators, though he did not recall seeing them at that time at Makburaka Airfield.

When asked, Sesay testified that some said the weapons came from Ukraine, others said they came from Liberia, even though in the report of the OTP (Office of the Prosecution) he only mentioned Ukraine.

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