The United Nations-backed court for Sierra Leone, which is to try those who allegedly bear the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed in a decade of civil war, officially opened on Thursday.
Three former heads of a pro-government militia during the war, the Civil Defence Forces (CDF), including former defence minister Sam Hinga Norman, appeared in court for the opening trial.
Norman, Moinina Fofana and Allieu Kondewa each face multiple charges, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The trial was suspended shortly after proceedings began because of problems with the sound system in the courtroom, but was expected to resume later on Thursday.
Norman was wearing a long white boubou, traditional African dress, and appeared in the dock looking relaxed and smiling.
None of the three defendants were handcuffed.
The case against the CDF chiefs is viewed as the most controversial that will come before the court, as many Sierra Leoneans hail the militia and its leaders as heroes for beating back rebels notorious for their brutality against civilians.
About 200 000 people died and and thousands were mutilated during Sierra Leone’s war, started in 1991 by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) of Foday Sankoh.
Three former RUF chiefs, due to be tried from July 5, were also in court for the opening of the trial for procedural reasons, court officials said.
Issa Sesay, Morris Kallon and Augustine Gabo are the main RUF leaders still alive. Sankoh died in detention and his top lieutenant, Sam ”Mosquito” Bockarie, died in neighbouring Liberia. — Sapa-AFP