Sierra Leone: Guilty verdicts in the trial of the AFRC accused

Three former leaders of Sierra Leone’s former Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) have each been found guilty on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Today’s judgments were read out in court by Justice Julia Sebutinde, the Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber II, in proceedings which lasted just over two hours.

Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Bazzy Kamara and Santigie Borbor Kanu were each found guilty on Count 1 (acts of terrorism), Count 2 (collective punishments), Count 3 (extermination), Count 4 (murder, a crime against humanity), Count 5 (murder, a war crime), Count 6 (rape), Count 9 (outrages upon personal dignity), Count 10 (physical violence, a war crimes), Count 12 (conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15 years into armed forces or groups, or using them to participate actively in hostilities), Count 13 (enslavement), and Count 14 (pillage).

Not guilty judgements were entered on Count 11 (other inhumane acts – a crime against humanity), Count 7 (sexual slavery and any other form of sexual violence) and Count 8 (other inhumane act – forced marriage).

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 16.

Today’s judgment is the first to be handed down at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. A judgment in the case of two accused former members of the Civil Defence Forces (CDF) are pending before Trial Chamber I.

This trial marks the first time that an international tribunal has ruled on the charge of recruitment of child soldiers into an armed force, and on the crime of forced marriage in an armed conflict.

Trial Chamber II, consisting of Justice Julia Sebutinde, Justice Teresa Doherty and Justice Richard Lussick, is also hearing evidence in the Special Court’s trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor at The Hague.