Finland Charges Liberia War Crimes Suspect
Faizan Hashmi Published January 26, 2021 | 12:00 AM
Helsinki, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jan, 2021 ) :A Sierra Leonean man has been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in Liberia's brutal civil war two decades ago, prosecutors in Finland said Monday.
Gibril Ealoghima Massaquoi is accused of murdering "disarmed soldiers" and civilians, recruiting child soldiers and rape between 1999 and 2003 when he held a senior position in the Revolutionary United Front, a Sierra Leone rebel group that fought in Liberia.
Arrested in March last year in Finland, where he has lived for the last decade, the suspect denies the charges, including, "aggravated war crimes" and "aggravated crimes against humanity", the state prosecutor said in a statement.
"The suspected crimes have breached generally recognised laws and rules of conflict as well as harming the wider protection of humanity," prosecutor Tom Laitinen said.
The charges carry a minimum sentence of eight years in jail but the court could also deliver a life term if convicted.
Police said the man, born in 1969, is suspected of committing the offences himself and inciting others to commit them.
An estimated 250,000 people died in the West African country's civil war, which raged from 1989-2003 and was marked by widespread mutilation and rape, often carried out by child soldiers overseen by warlords.
Finnish police opened investigations in 2018, interviewing dozens of people in Liberia and neighbouring Sierra Leone.
The case will be heard at Pirkanmaa district court in southern Finland, the prosecutor said.
Recent Stories
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
2 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
4 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
5 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
8 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
10 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
12 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
12 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
12 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
12 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
14 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
14 days ago