3 Sierra Leone rebel leaders convicted of rape, sexual slavery and mutilation
(Second row, from left) Kallon, Gbao and Sesay, seen in a 2004 file photo, pleaded not guilty but were convicted of crimes against humanity. About half a million people were victims of killings, mutilations and other atrocities during Sierra Leone's 11-year civil war. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS
FREETOWN (SIERRA LEONE): The rebels were known for asking their victims if they preferred 'long sleeves' or 'short sleeves'. They then cut off the hands of those who chose the first option, and the full arm of those who picked the second.
On Wednesday, an international court modelled after the Nuremberg tribunal convicted three top Sierra Leone rebel leaders of crimes against humanity - the closest thing to justice in this West African nation of amputees, orphans and widows.
Blood diamonds helped fund 11-year conflict
THE WAR
It began in 1991 when ex-army corporal Foday Sankoh set up the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and took up arms against then President Joseph Momoh.
Revolutionary United Front leader Issa Sesay and one of his battlefield commanders, Morris Kallon, were found guilty on 16 of 18 counts, including mutilation, terrorism, rape, forced marriage, sexual slavery and the enlistment of child soldiers. Another commander, Augustine Gbao, was found guilty on 14 of the 18 counts.
All three had pleaded not guilty and shook their heads as the verdict was read.
About half a million people were victims of killings, systematic mutilation and other atrocities during Sierra Leone's 11-year civil war. Rebels roamed Sierra Leone's jungles, raiding villages and vying for control of the nation's diamond fields.
Amputations became the rebels' hallmark and field commanders were known by names like 'Captain Two Hands' and 'Dr Blood'. They used machetes, axes and knives, and sat three astride their victims, who were forced to place their hands on concrete slabs or tree trunks.
New conscripts - especially children - were given bags and told not to return until they had filled them with severed limbs.
Sesay, Kallon and Gbao are the last three rebel leaders to be convicted. The court was set up in 2003 after the end of the war that began in 1992. Five other masterminds of the conflict have already been convicted.
'The greatest significance of this is that it recognises that the people of Sierra Leone were victims of these horrendous crimes and it holds individuals accountable,' said the Special Court's chief prosecutor Stephen Rapp.
'Beyond that, we are also sending a message to this country, across the region and across the world, that these crimes will not be tolerated.'
