Former Sierra Leone militia leaders convicted in war crimes case

[Ian David]

Former Sierra Leone militia leaders convicted in war crimes case

Freetown_(dpa) _ Two former members of a government-backed paramilitary group in Sierra Leone's bloody 11-year civil war were found guilty Thursday of four and five counts of war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law but were acquitted of crimes against humanity.

Moinina Fofana and Allieu Kondewa were convicted of crimes related to unlawful killings, looting and burning and terrorizing the civilian population while the latter was also found guilty of conscripting child soldiers.

The men, who were both charged with eight counts, were acquitted of murder and inhumane acts.

Fofana, alleged to have been national director of war for the Civil Defence Forces (CDF), which fought anti-government rebel groups in the 1991-2002 war, and Kondewa, the group's high priest, both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

More:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/LRON-75PGD2?OpenDocument