A former rebel commander from Liberia, Kunti Kamara, is currently standing trial in a Paris court on charges of crimes against humanity.
The 47-year-old Kunti Kamara is the first Liberian to face trial in France thanks to the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows for the prosecution of transnational crimes.
During the first Liberian civil war in the ’90s, he is said to have engaged in rape, murder, and torture. When that happened, he was still under the age of 20.
Mr. Kamara acknowledges that he led the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (Ulimo) in Lofa county in northwest Liberia, but he disputes the claims against him.
Kamara told the court on Monday, “I’m innocent,” and added that he doesn’t know any of the witnesses accusing him.
In 2018, Kamara was apprehended close to Paris after a complaint was submitted by the Swiss organisation, Civitas Maxima. Civitas Maxima focuses on assisting victims of crimes against humanity. He is potentially facing a life sentence in prison if he is found guilty.