Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09FREETOWN61
2009-02-25 16:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:
DEFENDANTS GUILTY IN RUF TRIAL
how-toVZCZCXRO2371 OO RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHFN #0061 0561653 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 251653Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2477 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0293
UNCLAS FREETOWN 000061
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR S/WCI (BDOHERTY)
US MISSION USUN (MSIMONOFF)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KAWC PHUM SL
SUBJECT: DEFENDANTS GUILTY IN RUF TRIAL
UNCLAS FREETOWN 000061
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR S/WCI (BDOHERTY)
US MISSION USUN (MSIMONOFF)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KAWC PHUM SL
SUBJECT: DEFENDANTS GUILTY IN RUF TRIAL
1. The final Freetown-based trial for the Special Court for
Sierra Leone concluded on February 25 with a judgment against
three Revolutionary United Front defendants. Issa Hassan
Sesay, Morris Kallon, and Augustine Gbao all faced 18 charges
during the five-year trial, including terrorism, collective
punishment, extermination, murder, rape, sexual slavery,
conscripting and/or enlisting child soldiers, and
intentionally directing attacks against peacekeeping
officers. Sesay and Kallon were found guilty of 16 of 18
counts, while Gbao was found guilty of 14 of 18 counts.
Notably, presiding judge of Trial Chamber 1, Justice Pierre
Boutet, dissented on 13 of the guilty judgments against Gbao.
2. Next steps in this case will include prosecution and
defense motions regarding sentencing, which has yet to be
scheduled, and subsequent appeals from all defendants. Post
will provide further analysis septel.
PERRY
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR S/WCI (BDOHERTY)
US MISSION USUN (MSIMONOFF)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KAWC PHUM SL
SUBJECT: DEFENDANTS GUILTY IN RUF TRIAL
1. The final Freetown-based trial for the Special Court for
Sierra Leone concluded on February 25 with a judgment against
three Revolutionary United Front defendants. Issa Hassan
Sesay, Morris Kallon, and Augustine Gbao all faced 18 charges
during the five-year trial, including terrorism, collective
punishment, extermination, murder, rape, sexual slavery,
conscripting and/or enlisting child soldiers, and
intentionally directing attacks against peacekeeping
officers. Sesay and Kallon were found guilty of 16 of 18
counts, while Gbao was found guilty of 14 of 18 counts.
Notably, presiding judge of Trial Chamber 1, Justice Pierre
Boutet, dissented on 13 of the guilty judgments against Gbao.
2. Next steps in this case will include prosecution and
defense motions regarding sentencing, which has yet to be
scheduled, and subsequent appeals from all defendants. Post
will provide further analysis septel.
PERRY