Special Court for Sierra Leone, CDF Trial, Update 66

CDF Trial

Special Court for Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

English

The CDF defence case resumed on Tuesday after a two day recess was afforded by Trial Chamber I to the Norman defence team, who had requested for more time to chart out the evidence to be given by Norman himself. The former government minister is the first of a proposed total of 77 witnesses called in his defence case. Norman took the stand on Tuesday afternoon and his testimony continued throughout the week. Evidence focused on Norman’s various roles and responsibilities throughout the conflict, his contact with both the President as well as the CDF fighters, and the nature and evolution of the CDF as a civil militia organization. Various legal and procedural issues also arose, particularly with respect to communication with witnesses whilst on the stand as well as to the interpretation of the amended indictment.