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08.06.2012 Sierra Leone

Contempt Trial of Eric Koi Senessie Opens at the Special Court for Sierra Leone

08.06.2012 LISTEN
By Special Court for Sierra Leone - Outreach and Public Affairs Office

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, June 8, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The trial of former RUF member Eric Koi Senessie on contempt charges for witness tampering will open on Monday, 11 June 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at the Special Court in Freetown. The trial is open and the press is invited to attend.

Mr. Senessie is charged with nine counts of trying to convince five prosecution witnesses who testified against Charles Taylor to recant their testimony. Interfering with witnesses constitutes interference with the administration of justice, a crime of contempt, and is punishable by a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison, a fine of two million leones, or both.

Mr. Senessie has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A second trial, of four persons accused of interfering with witnesses who testified in the AFRC trial, will begin on June 18.

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