War Crimes

In Liberia, rebel commanders and fighters suspected of being responsible for war crimes and human rights violations still walk free, many years after the end of the civil war (2003) which cost an estimated 200,000 Liberians their lives. 
However, over the years, a number of suspected Liberian and non-Liberian war criminals have been arrested in other countries, indicted, put on trial or are still awaiting their trial (in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, USA). 

The overview below presents them in alphabetical order, the date of the arrest, and the status of the trial.
The list also includes a limited, not exhaustive number of Liberians who – until now – have managed to escape from justice as well as two Liberian high-ranking rebel commanders who passed away before paying for their crimes.

Latest update: Guus Kouwenhoven, September 23, 2021

Warlords and war criminals in alphabetical order:

George Boley (deported from the USA; a free man in Liberia)
George Dweh (deceased)
Jankuba Fofana (arrested in the UK)
Mohammed Jabbateh / Jungle Jabbah (30 years jail sentence)
Martina Johnson (arrested in Belgium)
Prince Y. Johnson (wanted by the US; a free man in Liberia )
Kunti Kamara / Awaliwo Soumaworo (arrested in France)
Alieu Kosiah (arrested in Switzerland; 20 years jail sentence)
Guus Kouwenhoven (Dutch; 19 years jail sentence; fugitive in SA)
Gibril Massaquoi (Sierra Leonean; arrested in Finland; trial ongoing)
Agnes Reeves Taylor (arrested in the UK, released; free in Liberia) 
Charles Taylor (sentenced to 50 years in jail by the SCSL)
Chuck Taylor (USA; 97 years jail sentence)
Moses Thomas (arrested in the USA, fled to Liberia, free man)
Thomas Woewiyu (USA; found guilty; died before being sentenced)
Alexander Zinnah (deported from the USA; a free man in Liberia)

Chronology of events (summary) 
Latest news on top:

Jucontee Thomas Woewiyu dies of Covid-19

Thomas Woewiyu dies of Covid-19 whilst awaiting sentencing

April 13, 2020
Civitas Maxima – Global Justice and Research Project (CJRP)

Covid-19 claims life of Jucontee Thomas Woewiyu

April 12, 2020
FrontPageAfrica – Rodney Sieh


Short films:

Who is Thomas Woewiyu and why is he on trial? Key question 1
Civitas Maxima – YouTube
July 4, 2018

Key Question 2 – Trial of Thomas Woewiyu

Key Question 3 – Trial of Thomas Woewiyu

Key Question 4 – Trial of Thomas Woewiyu

Thomas Woewiyu conviction
Philly.com – YouTube
July 3, 2018

Thom Woewiyu makes first appearance in court
FrontPageAfrica – YouTube
June 12, 2018

Official US documents:

Liberian War Criminal Living in Delaware County Convicted of Immigration Fraud and Perjury | USAO-EDPA | Department of Justice
Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Alleged War Criminal Arrested On Fraud Charges | USAO-EDPA | Department of Justice
Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Alleged War Criminal Arrested
Original source: United States Department of Justice, The United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
May 13, 2014

Articles – general:

Thomas Woewiyu’s Trial and Liberia’s Quest for Justice
For any questions or inquiries, please contact info@civitas-maxima.org

LEGAL MONITORING OF THE WOEWIYU CASE
Civitas Maxima

JUCONTEE THOMAS SMITH WOEWIYU
08.05.2016 ( Last modified: 04.07.2018 )
Trial international dot org

Articles – specific:

Woewiyu Sentencing Delayed by More Than a Month
FrontPageAfrica, Monrovia, Liberia, September 18, 2018

Thomas Woewiyu Found Guilty on 11 Counts in Philadelphia
FrontPageAfrica, Monrovia, Liberia, July 3, 2018

Delco man convicted of hiding past as Liberian war criminal
by Jeremy Roebuck and Kelly Brennan, The Inquirer 
July 3, 2018 (updated)

U.S. District Court to Begin Hearing Tom Woewiyu Trial Feb. 26, 2018
By Al-Varney Rogers, FrontPageAfrica, Monrovia, Liberia 
December 12, 2017