Former Liberian rebel leader, Alieu Kosiah’s trial will begin today at the Swiss Federal Court in Switzerland. Kosiah has been accused of heinous atrocities committed during the first civil war in Liberia.
The offences listed against him include murder, sex abuse, forced child labour, and cruelty, all of which he denied. 250,000 people reportedly lost their lives while many others fled during the war which lasted for close to fourteen years.
Kosiah will be the first Liberian to stand trial from Liberia over war crimes despite not being a military leader at the time. His lawyers have, however, responded that Kosiah was not in Liberia at the said time.