Liberian war crimes trial relocated from Finland

The Liberian war crimes trial of suspected warlord Gibril Massaquoi which began in Finland last week will temporarily relocate to Liberia and Guinea. As previously reported in Legalbrief Today, prosecutors say Massaquoi, a Sierra Leone national, was a senior member of a rebel group that fought in Liberia from 1999 to 2003. He is accused of rape, recruiting child soldiers and killing civilians and soldiers who had just been disarmed. Due to the logistical difficulties of transporting witnesses to Finland following the outbreak of Covid-19, the court decided to temporarily relocate to the West African nations to interview witnesses and visit the scene of the alleged crimes. Radio France Internationale reports that the trial is expected to commence this week and will run for two months. It will be open to only 10 journalists who have been accredited by the International Human Rights Organisation and the venue will remain secret for security reasons. About 80 witnesses are expected to testify. Most are ex-rebel fighters and some Liberians from remote villages where the alleged atrocities were committed by troops under Massaquoi's command. He denies the charges and says he was taking part in peace talks at the time of the alleged crimes.