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Special Court Resumes RUF Trial

Concord Times (Freetown)
NEWS
3 May 2007
Posted to the web 3 May 2007

By James Fallah
Freetown
The Special Court for Sierra Leone on Wednesday resumed sittings on the ongoing
trial of the three accused members of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF)-Issa
Sesay, Augustine Gbao and Morris Kallon, Trial judge, Justice Bankole Thompson
in his address to the court, highlighted issues to be deliberated on in the
state of conference. The defense team intimated the court about the health
conditions of its clients.
Counsel for the first accused, Wayne Jordash told the court that his client,
Issa Sesay underwent a four-hour surgical operation and is currently admitted
at the Choithram Hospital where he is responding well to treatment.
The second accused, Augustine Gbao according to his legal counsel, is reported
to be in good health while the third, Morris Kallon is also said to be doing
fairly good.
However, the defense team in its opening statements denied the use of a common
witness, arguing that a common witness is not in its clients' interest.
Meanwhile, the trial judge, Bankole Thompson asked the defense team to
summarize its statements to meet a 45-minute time line. The defense team later
called for increment of salaries which it said should be paid regularly because
the prosecution team gets its salaries regularly and on time.
It threatened to boycott proceedings if the said concerns are not met.
Proceedings continue today.

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