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[20 June 2007] - Three men have been convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone's decade-long war. These were the first verdicts of Sierra Leone's UN-backed war crimes tribunal. Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Kamara and Santigie Borbor Kanu were senior members of an armed faction that toppled the government in 1997. They were found guilty of 12 of the 14 charges, except for two of alleged sexual slavery and other inhuman acts. The men will be sentenced on 16 July. The judges read out their verdicts before a packed courtroom. The three men now face lengthy prison terms. During the conflict tens of thousands were killed as the rebel forces raped and mutilated defenceless innocent civilians. Important step The three had pleaded not guilty to the 14 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, rape and the use of child soldiers. They belonged to the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), which formed an alliance with the notorious Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels. As the rebel groups attempted to hold power they were allegedly backed by the former president of Liberia, Charles Taylor, in return for Sierra Leone's diamonds. Charles Taylor is currently in The Hague, where his war crimes trial is due to resume next week. Following the end of the conflict five years ago, a UN-backed court was set up to try those people who bore the greatest responsibility for the atrocities committed. Trying all those who committed crimes would have been an impossible task says the BBC's West Africa correspondent, Will Ross. So now many in Sierra Leone live side-by-side with the very people they saw committing atrocities. The head of the AFRC rebels was never apprehended but is presumed dead. The most notorious rebel leader, Foday Sankoh, died in custody while awaiting trial. It may be slow and expensive but many view the court's work as an important step to help end impunity, our correspondent says. Further information
pdf: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6221112.stm