CONCURRENCE FOR INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE

UNCLAS PARIS 000079 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO DS/CR/CIL ICE IAO FOR ERIC SALLICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PHUM FR XY SUBJECT: CONCURRENCE FOR INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE BY RSO FREETOWN SENSITIVE ¶1. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Attache, Paris, France requests the assistance of the Regional Security Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone in support of the investigation of Alhaji Kabba SACCOH, a citizen and national of Sierra Leone who is believed to have been a previous member of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). ¶2. SACCOH is identified as follows: NAME: Alhaji Kabba SACCOH AKA: Alhaji KABBA SACCOLT DOB: 06/19/1972 SEX: Male ALIEN REGISTRATION NUMBER: 096151096 HEIGHT AND WEIGHT: 6'0", 175 lbs. ¶3. SACCOH is presently in removal proceedings in New York, NY based on an application that SACCOH filed for Political Asylum. On September 5, 2007, U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted a DHL package manifested as "newspaper" containing documentation illustrating that SACCOH was a former RUF member who was responsible for killing, maiming, and burning houses in Sierra Leone. A letter was also included in the shipment informing SACCOH that he is wanted in Sierra Leone. Two Internet articles from the "Awareness Times" have also been located, printed, and retained. These articles make similar claims to SACCOH's RUF membership. ¶4. In furtherance of this investigation, the following information is being sought from the RSO in Freetown: * Confirmation that SACCOH was a member of the RUF. * If applicable, confirm the current status of any active investigation(s) in Sierra Leone against SACCOH. * Confirm if there are any active warrants for SACCOH's arrest in Sierra Leone and obtain copies, if applicable. * Determine if there are any active sources of information such as previous RUF members, turncoats, or witnesses who might be able to assist in confirming SACCOH's RUF membership. * If it is confirmed that SACCOH was an RUF member, obtain any reports pertaining to atrocities or human rights abuses that SACCOH is thought to be responsible for. * An original copy of "The Spectator" newspaper dated September 3, ¶2007. The authenticity of the newspaper previously seized by CBP has come into question and it is possible that this newspaper is not authentic and was to be utilized by SACCOH in support of his asylum case. If the paper seized is not genuine and SACCOH attempts to use these or similar documents in future immigration related matters, then criminal prosecution will be sought regardless of SACCOH's RUF membership. ¶5. Digital images of SACCOH and copies of the previously referenced documents to include "The Spectator" and the "Awareness Times" can be provided to post under separate cover. ¶6. Please reference ICE Attache Paris case number PA16FR08NY0005 in any correspondence. ¶7. Point of contact: Assistant ICE Attache Richard Jolles, 2 Avenue Gabriel # A-225, 75008 Paris, France. Telephone: 33-1-4312-2371; fax: 33-1-4562-3639. ¶8. Thank you for your assistance. Lydia St. John-Mellado, ICE ATTACHE, PARIS, FRANCE STAPLETON