Charges appealed in Sierra Leone trial.
The U.N.-backed court examining atrocities committed during the 1991-2002 civil war in Sierra Leone handed down two sentences to former militia leaders Tuesday. Moinina Fofana and Allieu Kondewa received sentences of six and eight years respectively for murder, cruel treatment, pillage, and issuing collective punishment. Kondewa received additional penalties for his role in conscripting child soldiers. Both were members of the Civil Defense Forces that used roving bands of tribal hunters to combat various rebel groups. Critics accuse the CDF of torturing and mutilating civilians to achieve its goals, while others praise the group as patriots who established law and order.
Judge Benjamin Itoe, a Cameroonian judge on the The Special Court for Sierra Leone, recounted that the nature of atrocities committed by the CDF including impaling womens genitalia and marking roadways with the entrails of their victims. Stephen Rapp, chief prosecutor for the SCSL, said he would appeal the lighter sentences handed down by the court. The prosecution originally asked for 30-year sentences in the case, consistent with previous convictions of 45 and 50 year sentences for war crimes. Rapp noted that the perceived acceptance of atrocities symbolized by the light sentences against Fofana and Kondewa sent a message to other conflict zones that such behavior was acceptable. “The innocent in war must always be protected and must know they are safe from being targeted by any side in the conflict,” Rapp said.
But others view the sentence as controversial, noting that CDF established law and order during the civil conflict when anarchy was the norm. Judge Itoe noted that light sentences and supported the courts decision by stating that the CDF “contributed immensely to re-establishing the rule of law … ” Fofana and Kondewa both issued public statements of regret, with Kondewa saying “I plead for mercy and I express remorse.”
The SCSL was established after the years of civil conflict came to an end. It operates in the capital city of Freetown and is prosecuting 10 cases in tandem with the proceedings against former Liberian president, Charles Taylor. Taylor’s trial is held at the Hague, while other prosecutions take place in the capital city. In certain circumstances, legal teams shuttle back and forth between both systems.
It is estimated that nearly one-half million people were killed or mutilated during the conflict.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:21 am
It is apalling the carnage that’s going on in this particular area of Africa. I watched some of the murder & death on “Free TV” link. It made me sick! It truely reminded me of the pictures of the Holocast by the Nazi’s in WW11.
Discusting how Pres. Bush can justify the unprevolked war on Iraq, yet lets much worse atrocities go on around the World??!! Not enough “OIL” there, I suppose. Pres.(??) bush stated that the United States wasn’t into Country building, during the Gore/Bush debates. I guess the Bought & paid for MEDIA doesn’t want to ruffle the Dictators feathers, ay??