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Trial of Sierra Leonean Warlord Moves from Finland to Liberia

A Finnish court which is trying a Sierra Leonean accused of war crimes allegedly committed in Liberia between 2001 and 2002, will temporarily relocate to Liberia for part of the trial. Gibril Massaquoi had been living in exile in Finland for a decade, and the charges associated with the alleged war crimes were brought against him in a Finnish court. RFI reports that the court has decided to move to Liberia because of the logistical difficulties involved in moving witnesses to Finland. Fifty-year-old Massaquoi, originally from Sierra Leone, stands accused of torture and rape of civilians, crimes allegedly committed in Liberia during his time as a commander of the Revolutionary United Front between 2001 and 2002. The Finnish court will also temporarily relocate to Sierra Leone and Guinea to interview witnesses and visit the scene of the alleged crimes.

Darlington Porkpa/RFI

Liberia's Solicitor General Sayma Syrenius Cephus speaking to journalists in Monrovia.

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