Trial Monitoring

Special Court for Sierra Leone, CDF Trial, Update 77a

June 02, 2006
Author(s)
Alison Thompson
Special Court for Sierra Leone, CDF Trial, Update 77a
Publication Documents
Case or Series

CDF Trial

Case or Series

Special Court for Sierra Leone

Country

Sierra Leone

Language

English

This week’s proceedings in Trial Chamber I were delayed due to the unavailability of witnesses for the Norman defence case. The defence team for the first accused called three witnesses starting from Wednesday. Chief Joseph Ali-Kavura Kongomoh, the Paramount Chief in the Fakunya district, represents the first witness to testify about the Moyamba crime base. Kenei Torma Kenei also gave evidence with respect to Moyamba and Lansana Bockarie corroborated previous testimony concerning the planning and organization of various attacks by the Kamajors.

The Trial Chamber reiterated its desire that this seventh session of the CDF trial mark the end of the Norman defence case. The presiding judge stated that it would be only under very exceptional circumstances that the defence case for the first accused would continue into the next trial session. The trial session is currently scheduled to finish on June 16, 2006. However, despite the Trial Chamber’s explicit wishes that the Norman defence close, there have been an increasing number of problems related to the availability of the remaining witnesses. While the bench indicated its impatience with the absence of a key witness due to medical problems, counsel for Norman argued that much of their strategy and ability to plan is dependent on knowing whether they will be able to call their primary witness, President Kabbah, this trial session. The Trial Chamber is currently deliberating on the defence motion for the issuance of a subpoena for Kabbah and has indicated that a decision is imminent.