Special Court Monitoring Program Update # 103
Trial Chamber I – RUF Trial
September - December, 2007
The following report is intended to provide the reader with an overview of the RUF’s recently completed tenth trial session (the ‘Tenth RUF Trial Session’ or the ‘Session’). The case against the alleged senior members of the Revolutionary United Front is arguably the most complex case the Special Court will try, but international focus on the trial has largely been waning. The War Crimes Studies Center hopes that this report will reinvigorate research and reporting interest in the RUF trial, as well as assist those currently analyzing the work of the Special Court by providing them with an update on proceedings that, for reasons explained below, are almost entirely inaccessible to an international audience.
Read full RUF report in PDF format
Special Court Monitoring Program Update # 102
Trial Chamber I – RUF Trial
June26 - June 29, 2007
Early this week, the Prosecution concluded its cross examination of the first accused, Issa Sesay. After Mr. Sesay stepped down, the Defense called its next two witnesses, both civilian women from Kailahun district testifying under protective measures. They were designated DIS-302 and DIS-301. Both women concluded their testimony before court adjourned on the 28th of June. This week’s proceedings brought the summer trial session to a close. As announced earlier this month, the Trial Chamber adjourned a full month earlier than originally anticipated. At close of proceedings, the Presiding Judge announced that trial will resume the 11th of September, 2007.
Read full report on Issa Sesay in PDF format
Special Court Monitoring Program Update # 101
Trial Chamber I – RUF Trial
June19 - June 22, 2007
This week, Trial Chamber One concluded its voir dire inquiry into the post-arrest custodial interrogation of first accused, Issa Sesay. Defense called three witnesses and the Chamber heard brief closing submissions from each party. On Friday morning, the Bench ruled against the Prosecution—excluding Mr. Sesay’s statements as involuntary on the grounds that OTP investigators took them in breach of the fundamental rights of the accused. Immediately following the Trial Chamber’s oral decision, the main trial resumed, Mr. Sesay returned to the stand, and the Prosecution began its cross-examination.
Read full report on Issa Sesay in PDF format
Special Court Monitoring Program Update # 100
Trial Chamber I – RUF Trial
June12 - June15, 2007
The Investigations Section of the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) came into serious disrepute this week during a special voir dire hearing to determine the admissibility of post-arrest statements made in 2003 by first accused, Issa Sesay. The four investigators called by the Prosecution to testify in this “trial within a trial” denied any professional misconduct or procedural rights violations during Mr. Sesay’s arrest, detention, and interrogation. However, they went on to give evidence in direct and cross examination which, to varying degrees for each witness, largely corroborated the Defense allegations that Mr. Sesay’s statements were taken in breach of Article 17 of the Statute of the Court and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. The testimony further confirmed numerous irregular, unexplained investigative practices of the OTP unit.
Read full report on Issa Sesay in PDF format
Special Court Monitoring Program Update # 99
Trial Chamber I – RUF Trial
June 8 , 2007
Trial Chamber I spent this week hearing detailed oral arguments on the admissibility of prior statements made by the first accused, Issa Sesay. The statements in controversy were taken by OTP Investigators during ten days of custodial interviews in March and April of 2003, immediately following Mr. Sesay’s initial detention. At issue was the voluntariness of Mr. Sesay’s statements and his alleged waivers of the right remain silent and the right to counsel. Prosecution sought to admit the transcripts, arguing that Investigators legitimately obtained the waivers and questioned Sesay in accordance with the procedural rights of the accused. Defense counsel argued that trickery, threats, and other improperly coercive methods were used to obtain the waivers and further elicit involuntary statements from the accused in breach of Rules 42, 63, and 92.
Read full report on Issa Sesay in PDF format
