MONROVIA-The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, has clarified that it has not made any decision which grants approval for the setting up of a War Crimes Court in Liberia, as has been speculated in some quarters. Any such decision will first have to meet the expressed consent of the Liberian people through their elected representatives.
A Justice Ministry statement explained that there is a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) agreement subsisting between the Republic of Liberia and the Republic of Findland which allows for cooperation in criminal investigation and the prosecution of accused persons.
Under the agreement, Finnish Judges – including prosecution and defense counsels – will be coming to Liberia to take statements from witnesses for an ongoing War Crimes Trial in Findland.
Solicitor General Cllr. Sayma-Syrenius Cephus however emphasized that the Liberian Government is not a party to the trial in Finland, and has neither given permission for the setting up of a War Crimes Court in the country.
The release said the government therefore calls on media institutions to fact-check their stories before publication.
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