Tagged:

Liberia's First Civil War Conviction Upheld By Swiss Court

After four weeks of hearings between January and February 2023 - the Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Federal Criminal Court (FCC) found Alieu Kosiah, former Liberian commander of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO), guilty of multiple counts of war crimes and multiple counts of crimes against humanity. He was handed a prison sentence of 20 years.

The Appeals Chamber also confirmed the FCCs initial decision which was handed to Kosiah in 2021. He is the first person to be convicted of crimes against humanity in Switzerland.

The ruling will set a precedent, by establishing that crimes against humanity committed before 2011 can be prosecuted in Switzerland.

While Kosiah was acquitted of some charges related to the cruel treatment of civilians, he was found guilty of most of the allegations, including several counts of murder, desecration of corpses, forced transportation, and rape. The crimes were committed between 1993 and 1994, during the First Liberian Civil war that began in 1989 and ended in 1996.

Kosiah has already spent over 8 years in prison during the trial, which will be deducted from his sentence.

It was also ruled that Kosiah will pay reparations to each plaintiff.

InFocus

Envanto elements - Joebelanger

(file photo).

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.