Alieu Kosiah, a former Liberian warlord convicted in Switzerland of crimes against humanity

For the first time in Switzerland, an accused was found guilty of crimes against humanity on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Alieu Kosiah was an officer in the Ulimo rebel group during Liberia's first civil war, between 1989 and 1996. He was fighting former President Charles Taylor's troops and was accused of ordering or committing 19 murders, multiple rapes, and even eating a man's heart.

The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, Switzerland, May 5, 2016 (Illustration image). © Wikimedia Commons CC BY SA 4.0 NAC

Text by: RFI Follow

Advertising

Read more

For the organizations that initiated the case against Alieu Kosiah, the court issued an unprecedented verdict, sending a strong message around the world. The facts of war crimes and the 20 years in prison decided at first instance two years ago have been confirmed. But during the appeal process, the judiciary added crimes against humanity to the prosecution. Crime entered the Swiss Criminal Code only in 2011. The fact that he is being recognized for the first time and for decades-old facts makes this trial historic.

Call to prosecute criminals also in Liberia

For Alain Werner, director of Civitas Maxima, who defended 4 of the 7 plaintiffs, "Swiss justice proves that it is possible to prosecute international crimes in Switzerland, even for acts committed 7,000 km away". For him, this verdict sets a precedent that will encourage victims to testify and increase pressure on criminals still at large.

Given the age of the facts and the absence of physical evidence, the prosecution relied on the testimonies of victims. Alieu Kosiah has always denied it. From Monrovia, Hassan Bility of the NGO GJRP says the Liberian government must now act and "end impunity" before it is too late. Indeed, no former Liberian criminal has been tried in the country since the end of the war.

>> Read also: Guest Africa - Conviction of Kunti Kamara: "The victims have been forgotten by the international community"

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Read on on the same topics:

  • Justice
  • Liberia
  • Switzerland