Sierra Leone - civil war trial

Stringent prison terms upheld in rebel trials

Article published on the 2009-10-26 Latest update 2009-10-26 16:30 TU

Issa Hassan Sesay, former RUF commander sentenced to 52 years for war crimes
(Photo: Special Court for Sierra Leone)

The UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone upheld stiff prison terms of up to 52 years on Monday for three former rebel leaders who played key roles during Sierra Leone's civil war. The three men - Issa Hassan Sesay, Morris Kallon and Augustine Gbao - were all leaders of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and had appealed their ruling.

Sesay, 39, was handed down the longest sentence and will be imprisoned for 52 years. He was convicted of a number of atrocities, including leading armed attacks throughout the country, targeting civilians, aid workers, and peacekeepers. He was charged with murder, rape and robbery and was known for conscripting children into the RUF.

Morris Kallon and Augustine Gbao were handed down 40- and 25-year sentences, respectively. 

Augustine Gbao, sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes
(Photo: Special Court for Sierra Leone)

Some 120,000 people were killed and thousands had limbs chopped off during the brutal civil war. The conflict also gave rise to illegal trade in diamonds and timber.

The trial took place in Freetown, the Sierra Leone capital, and will be the last trial of its kind in the country. The final war crimes trial, of former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, will be held in The Hague and not in Freetown, for security reasons.

The court will close after taking care of final details, such as the transfer of convicts to serve their sentences in other countries.

Out of the 13 people originally indicted by the court, all were arrested except for Johnny Paul Koroma, a leader of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, who is presumed dead. In addition, there are three who have died while in custody.