afrol News, 25 February - The Appeals Chamber of the UN backed Special Court for Sierra Leone has upheld the long sentences it had earlier imposed on the three leaders of the defunct ruling Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC).

The three - Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Bazzy Kamara and Santigie Borbor Kanu - were convicted last June on 11 of the 14 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other violations of international humanitarian law.

Brima and Kanu were each sentenced to 50 years in prison while Kamara received 45 years.

Unsatisfied with the outcome of the case, the ex-junta leaders filed an appeal.

But the presiding judge and President of Sierra Leone's war crimes court, Justice Gelega King, had upheld the judgment and sentence of the trial chamber because it was "pursuant to Section 102 of procedure and evidence."

The convicts are due to serve their jail terms in an undisclosed African country.

The prosecution team also contested an earlier sentence the court imposed on leaders of the former civil defence forces [Kamajor fighters], arguing that their jail term did not march with their committed crimes.

Meanwhile, the trial of the former rebel-turned-President of Liberia, continues at The Hague, with the 18th prosecution witness appearing on the witness box on Thursday. Charles Taylor has been tried for his alleged involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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