Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09FREETOWN379
2009-09-22 14:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:
ATTORNEY-GENERAL HAD HAND IN FISHERIES CORRUPTION
VZCZCXRO1365 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHFN #0379 2651407 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 221407Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2892 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000379
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL EFIS KCOR SL
SUBJECT: ATTORNEY-GENERAL HAD HAND IN FISHERIES CORRUPTION
REF: FREETOWN 344
Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/
d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000379
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL EFIS KCOR SL
SUBJECT: ATTORNEY-GENERAL HAD HAND IN FISHERIES CORRUPTION
REF: FREETOWN 344
Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/
d)
1. (C) Per reftel, Minister of Marine Resources Haja Afsatu
Kabba nearly released the seized fishing vessel, the Yu Feng
102, in return for a small bribe from its Taiwanese owners.
In an additional revelation of corruption, the Chief Justice
passed to the CDA on September 16 that the Attorney-General,
Abdul Serry Kamal, was also involved in eliciting bribes. In
this case, he offered to arrange for the 11 Taiwanese crewman
to be released on payment of USD 155,000 in fines,
essentially 100,000 for the vessel and 5,000 per individual
(Note: The law allows for a fine of USD 100,000 per crewman.
End Note). The 15 Indonesian and Filipino sailors were not
included in the deal, and in fact it appears that the Sierra
Leoneans forget they were still on the boat pierside while
the case against the Taiwanese moved forward. Following the
announcement of the deal in the media, the Chief Justice
reported that the Vice President intervened to block the
release; the next day the 11 Taiwanese were re-arrested on
procedural grounds, and the remaining fisherman were also
taken into custody. Fisheries Minister Kabba reported she
planned on pushing for fines of USD 100,000 per crewman, with
a total price of USD 2.6 million. Intelligence sources
confirmed the story of corruption on September 17, noting
that the vessel would have gone free if the situation had
been left to the Sierra Leonean judiciary.
2. (C) Despite high-level knowledge of the AG's complicity,
as evidenced by the comments made by the Chief Justice, there
is no talk that he might be relieved of his position.
FEDZER
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL EFIS KCOR SL
SUBJECT: ATTORNEY-GENERAL HAD HAND IN FISHERIES CORRUPTION
REF: FREETOWN 344
Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/
d)
1. (C) Per reftel, Minister of Marine Resources Haja Afsatu
Kabba nearly released the seized fishing vessel, the Yu Feng
102, in return for a small bribe from its Taiwanese owners.
In an additional revelation of corruption, the Chief Justice
passed to the CDA on September 16 that the Attorney-General,
Abdul Serry Kamal, was also involved in eliciting bribes. In
this case, he offered to arrange for the 11 Taiwanese crewman
to be released on payment of USD 155,000 in fines,
essentially 100,000 for the vessel and 5,000 per individual
(Note: The law allows for a fine of USD 100,000 per crewman.
End Note). The 15 Indonesian and Filipino sailors were not
included in the deal, and in fact it appears that the Sierra
Leoneans forget they were still on the boat pierside while
the case against the Taiwanese moved forward. Following the
announcement of the deal in the media, the Chief Justice
reported that the Vice President intervened to block the
release; the next day the 11 Taiwanese were re-arrested on
procedural grounds, and the remaining fisherman were also
taken into custody. Fisheries Minister Kabba reported she
planned on pushing for fines of USD 100,000 per crewman, with
a total price of USD 2.6 million. Intelligence sources
confirmed the story of corruption on September 17, noting
that the vessel would have gone free if the situation had
been left to the Sierra Leonean judiciary.
2. (C) Despite high-level knowledge of the AG's complicity,
as evidenced by the comments made by the Chief Justice, there
is no talk that he might be relieved of his position.
FEDZER