Tagged:

Harrowing Trial of Sierra Leonean Warlord Massaquoi Wraps Up

Finland's Turku Court of Appeal has concluded the second phase of hearings in Liberia, of witnesses for Gibril Massaquoi, the Sierra Leonean man accused of war crimes in Liberia. The proceedings ended on Friday, May 12, 2023 with the Court only able to hear nine of the eleven witnesses it had scheduled for this phase of the proceedings.

A Finnish court tried Gibril Massaquoi, a former Revolutionary Front commander in Sierra Leone - accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The crimes were allegedly committed in Liberia between 1999 and 2003. He was found not guilty by the Finnish courts.

Gibril Massaquoi has been living in exile in Finland for a decade. Although he was acquitted by the Finnish court, an appeal was lodged. The court moved temporarily to Liberia for part of the trial for logistical reasons, as some witnesses were unable to travel to Finland.

The Finnish Appeal Court judges, prosecutors and lawyers arrived in Monrovia on January 31, 2023 and stayed for two months to hear the appeal trial of Massaquoi who was acquitted of all charges in the first instance, in Finland, in April 2022.

Between the two trials, there has been no new investigation, wrote Justiceinfo.net. Prosecutor Tom Laitenen said at the time: "We can't say we are going to win. We just disagreed on the findings of the trial court. It's more a question of how you should interpret the witness statements. The trial court said all witnesses were reliable, they didn't lie, but that the evidence was not sufficient. That's what we disagree on. That's why we have a new expert witness. How much can you demand from a witness, taking into account what they have experienced? That's the main reason why we have taken the case to appeal."

The verdict for Massaquoi's trial is expected in September 2023.

InFocus

Thierry Cruvellier/Justiceinfo.net

Gibril (Gabriel) Massaquoi, former Sierra Leone warlord

Follow AllAfrica

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.