Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Office of the Prosecutor

PRESS RELEASE
Freetown, Sierra Leone, 7 May 2003

Prosecutor Requests Body for Identification; Calls for Surrender of Koroma

This morning, the Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone, David M. Crane, again called on Liberian authorities to transfer the alleged body of indicted war criminal, Sam Bockarie, to the Court. "Until we are able to do a forensic examination and positively identify the body, we will assume Bockarie is alive."

Liberian officials claim Bockarie was killed yesterday during an arrest attempt by government forces in Nimba County. In response, Crane has been calling on them to provide proof.

The Prosecutor also reiterated demands for the arrest and transfer of Johnny Paul Koroma. "Koroma is in the Foya Kamala area in Lofa Country. I expect the Liberians to honor their international commitments and surrender him to the Court." Crane had a personal message for Koroma, "Turn yourself in. You are an indicted war criminal and an international fugitive. There's nowhere to hide."

In a show of support, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1478 yesterday, which calls on all States, in particular the Government of Liberia, to cooperate fully with the Special Court.

Bockarie and Koroma, indicted by the Court on March 7, 2003, are wanted for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The Special Court, created through an international agreement between the United Nations and Sierra Leone, is mandated to try those who bear "the greatest responsibility" for atrocities committed during the country's decade-long civil war.

#END

INFORMATION FOR MEDIA - NOT FOR ADVERTISING