Liberian Government Indicts 20 Liberian Citizens for Alleged Murder, Mercenary Activities, Rape, Arson And Theft of Property in the Ivory Coast
The Liberian government has indicted 20 Liberian citizens for alleged murder, mercenary activities, rape, arson and theft of property in Cote d’Ivoire, APA learned Friday.
A Monrovia magistrate’s court accused the defendants of conspiring and conniving to destabilize the government of Cote d’Ivoire.
The indictment further alleged that the defendants who were from various refugee camps and towns in Grand Gedeh County in south-eastern Liberia along the border with Cote d’Ivoire, recruited and caused to be recruited for mercenary activities and received training in the Thai Forest in Grand Gedeh County.
The Thai Forest, according to the indictment, was operated by co-defendant George Moore who was believed to have solicited and received funding from pro-Gbagbo loyalists for attacks into Cote d’Ivoire.
The Liberian government in its indictment also accused defendant Emmanuel Saymah of training the recruits. He is said to have received money, arms and ammunition from George Moore, after which he led 20 men, including co-defendant Komande M. Valerie, into Cote d’Ivoire.
Defendant Valerie is said to have operated a mercenary base in Toulepleu which was allegedly used to attack the Pekan Military Barracks in Cote d’Ivoire on August 13, 2012.
The Toulepleu attack was followed by attacks on towns and villages, resulting in the killing of many civilians, raping of women and girls as well as the burning of houses and stealing of money.
The indictment further alleged that a former MODEL general, Bobby Sarpee dished out money to mercenaries Morris Cole and Moses Baryee for the planned attack on Cote d’Ivoire to recruit and mobilize manpower, and that they were part of the fighting force that attacked the United Nations peacekeeping force in Para, Cote d’Ivoire on June 14, 2012 that left seven Nigerien peacekeepers dead along with scores of civilians.
Following the attacks in Cote d’Ivoire, the defendants fled back into Liberia, where they were arrested by security forces. They were in possession of arms, ammunition and communication devices as well as other warlike materials at the time of their arrest.
The hearing continues after the Christmas break.
Source African Press Agency
African News from NetNewsPublisher.com
Category: Africa
