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S Leone awaits war crime verdicts First S Leone war crimes verdicts
(about 5 hours later)
Sierra Leone's United Nations-backed war crimes tribunal is due to hand down its first judgements. Three men have been convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone's decade-long war.
The three men are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone's decade-long war in which tens of thousands died. These were the first verdicts of Sierra Leone's UN-backed war crimes tribunal.
Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Kamara and Santigie Borbor Kanu were senior members of an army faction which toppled the government in 1997. Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Kamara and Santigie Borbor Kanu were senior members of an armed faction that toppled the government in 1997.
Afterwards it teamed up with notorious Revolutionary United Front rebels. They were found guilty of 12 of the 14 charges, except for two of alleged sexual slavery and other inhuman acts. The men will be sentenced on 16 July.
During the conflict the rebel forces killed, raped and mutilated thousands of defenceless innocent civilians. They face lengthy prison terms.
During the conflict tens of thousands were killed as the rebel forces raped and mutilated defenceless innocent civilians.
Important stepImportant step
The three accused have pleaded innocent to 14 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity which include murder, rape and the use of child soldiers. The three had pleaded not guilty to the 14 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, rape and the use of child soldiers.
Thousands had their limbs hacked off during the warThousands had their limbs hacked off during the war
If found guilty, the men will face lengthy prison sentences. They belonged to the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), which formed an alliance with the notorious Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels.
They belonged to the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) which formed an alliance with the RUF.
As the rebel groups attempted to hold power they were allegedly backed by the former president of Liberia, Charles Taylor, in return for Sierra Leone's diamonds.As the rebel groups attempted to hold power they were allegedly backed by the former president of Liberia, Charles Taylor, in return for Sierra Leone's diamonds.
Charles Taylor is currently in The Hague where his war crimes trial is due to resume next week. Charles Taylor is currently in The Hague, where his war crimes trial is due to resume next week.
Following the end of the conflict five years ago, a UN-backed court was set up to try those people who bore the greatest responsibility for the atrocities committed.Following the end of the conflict five years ago, a UN-backed court was set up to try those people who bore the greatest responsibility for the atrocities committed.
Trying all those who committed crimes would have been an impossible task. Trying all those who committed crimes would have been an impossible task says the BBC's West Africa correspondent, Will Ross.
So now many in Sierra Leone live side-by-side with the very people they saw committing atrocities.So now many in Sierra Leone live side-by-side with the very people they saw committing atrocities.
The head of the AFRC rebels was never apprehended but is presumed dead.The head of the AFRC rebels was never apprehended but is presumed dead.
Whilst the most notorious rebel leader, Foday Sankoh, died in custody whilst awaiting trial. The most notorious rebel leader, Foday Sankoh, died in custody while awaiting trial.
It may be slow and expensive but many view the court's work as an important step to help end impunity. It may be slow and expensive but many view the court's work as an important step to help end impunity, our correspondent says.