Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Office of the Prosecutor

PRESS RELEASE
Freetown, Sierra Leone, 16 March 2003

Special Court Prosecutor: "No one is above the law."

This afternoon, the Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone, David M. Crane commented on yesterday's arraignment of Foday Sankoh and Issa Sesay. "Yesterday's hearings should show the Sierra Leonean people that no one is above the law." The initial appearances of Alex Tamba Brima and Morris Kallon, which began on Saturday March 15, are continuing Monday.

Crane again called on indictees Johnny Paul Koroma and Sam Bockarie to turn themselves in. "There is nowhere to hide. Warrants have been put out for their arrests. Koroma and Bockarie should surrender and face the numerous serious charges against them."

Responding to allegations of mistreatment of Mr. Norman during his arrest, the Prosecutor commented, "Absolutely not. Mr. Norman was treated with respect and in complete compliance with international standards."

The Prosecutor will be holding a news conference at UNAMSIL headquarters on Tuesday, March 18, to provide more information about last week's arrests of individuals bearing the "greatest responsibility" for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. He will be joined by Keith Biddle, Inspector-General of the Sierra Leone Police, and Dr. Alan White, Chief of Investigations for the Special Court.

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