The first state witness in the trial of 19 Liberians charged with multiple offenses, Prince Barclay, Monday stunned the court when he admitted their involvement in the post-elections violence in Ivory Coast between 2011 and 2012.

The Government of Liberia indicted the 19 defendants on multiple charges, including mercenarism, rape, murder, arson and theft of property.

Seven United Nations Peacekeepers from Niger were reportedly killed during an attack, according to the indictment which placed the accused under the jurisdiction of Criminal Court "D" at the Temple of Justice.

Witness Barclay claimed that defendant Nyezee Barway was the commander of the fighting force that allegedly killed the seven peacekeepers.

The witness identified defendants Morris K. Cole, Prince Youty, Nyezee Barway, Isaac Taryon alias Wolie Taryon, along with one unidentified defendant as the alleged 'killers' of the UN Peacekeepers.

Witness Barclay who was nolle prosecuquoi on behalf of the Government as an 'insider' witness informed the court that he, along with the other defendants, were recruited and mobilized by Bob Marley to go and fight in Ivory Coast.

Neatly dressed in the usual orange-colored inmate's suit, sipping a bottle of cold mineral water in the witness-box, Barclay, now a free man testified that he was mining gold in a camp, when Commander Bob Marley allegedly hired him for the mission.

The witness averred that his Commander Marley was offered 30 million CFA, which he was promised an amount of $7, 000 CFA as his share.

However, outlining the theory of the case, Cllr. Theophilius C. Gould told the jurors that every citizen has a duty to speak and that such duty is to serve as jurors.

"Our case is bordering on the activities to fight in different country. Our law says if you do that, or attempted going to fight, you will be charged with the crime of mercenarism, Cllr. Gould told the jurors.

The renowned criminal lawyer emphatically made it clear to the jurors that Government is not after Krahn people, but individuals who violated the laws.

The state prosecutor cautioned the jurors that they have a great responsibility to their country.

The trial continues Wednesday, July 17, 2013 with the state parading more witnesses to prove their case against the defendants.