A court in Paris has found former Liberian rebel leader Kunti Kamara guilty of of numerous atrocities including rape and cannibalism enacted during the country’s civil war that ended nearly 20 years ago.
He was sentenced to life in prison.
Kunti Kamara, 47, was accused of “complicity in massive and systematic torture and inhumane acts” against civilians in Liberia’s Lofa County in 1993-1994 as one of the leaders of the Ulimo armed group. He was then less than 20 years old during the time.
Prosecutors requested a life sentence while defense lawyers called for acquittal, citing a lack of evidence.
Your verdict will be historic,” prosecutor Aurélie Belliot had told the court, which was made up of three judges and a jury. “You must send a clear message: France must not be the last shelter for authors of crimes against humanity.”
During the investigation, he acknowledged having been a battlefield commander, leading about 80 soldiers during the civil war — a choice he said he made to defend himself against Charles Taylor’s rival faction.
With no material evidence because of the chaos of the war, accusations reliied on witnesses.
French police officers went to Liberia to identify witnesses and interview local residents. About 15 of them went to Paris to testify against for Crimes against humanity, rape and cannibalism
Kamara is being accused of having allowed and facilitated rapes and sexual torture of two young teenagers by some Ulimo soldiers.
One of the victims vividly described the pain and suffering she endured, crying until she felt unwell and was unable to continue testifying. She wasn’t able to come back to the court, and a message from her was read the next day saying she didn’t want to see Kamara again.
Kamara is also being accused of having participated in the killing of two civilians and an act of cannibalism.
Described by Belliot as the “active author of a collective killing,” he is accused of having eaten the heart of the victim after it had been removed by another soldier with an ax.
In addition, he was accused of having killed a sick woman, firing at her head with a rifle, and of having compelled people into forced labor under inhuman conditions.
He and his group allegedly forced civilians to carry very heavy loads, including electric generators and food, for hours without food and water.
Accusations also include the torture of a man, whose arms were tied behind his back before being dragged on the floor until he was very seriously wounded.
Condemned under universal jurisdiction
Kamara was arrested near Paris in 2018, following a complaint filed by Swiss-based group Civitas Maxima, specialized in helping victims of crimes against humanity.
The trial by the Paris criminal court has been made possible under a French law that recognizes universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity and acts of torture.
Prosecutor Claire Thouault stressed that Liberia never sent to trial those who committed crimes during the country’s back-to-back civil wars between 1989 and 2003 that killed an estimated 250,000 people.
She said that as soon as he arrived in Europe, Kamara “did everything to hide the reality of his actions and avoid any accusation.”
No remorse
Liberian journalist Anthony Stephens who covered the trial of Kunti said didn’t show any remorse as he continues to deny any wrongdoing. Kunti Kamara is among few perpetrators of the Liberian civil war that have since face Justice since the end of the war since 2003.