UN-backed court for Sierra Leone appoints Kenyan jurist as appeals judge
The United Nations-backed court set up to try suspects indicted for war crimes in Sierra Leone today announced the appointment of Philip Waki of Kenya to serve as an alternate judge in its appeals chamber, in anticipation of any appeal that may follow the trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor.
The United Nations-backed court set up to try suspects indicted for war crimes in Sierra Leone today announced the appointment of Philip Waki of Kenya to serve as an alternate judge in its appeals chamber, in anticipation of any appeal that may follow the trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor.
Mr. Waki took his oath of office today at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) in the West African country’s capital, Freetown, before the tribunal’s registrar Binta Mansaray and the President of the court Jon Kamanda.
The Special Court is an independent tribunal established jointly by Sierra Leone’s Government and the UN in 2002. It is mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996.
The trial of Mr. Taylor is continuing in a chamber of the court sitting in The Hague in the Netherlands for security reasons.