Sierra Leone: Landmark Conviction of Liberian Ex-President | Human Rights Watch

Street vendor watches live broadcast of verdict being delivered by United Nations-backed court in the Hague convicting former Liberian president Charles Taylor in Freetown.

(The Hague) – The conviction on April 26, 2012, of Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, for serious international crimes during Sierra Leone’s brutal armed conflict provides justice for victims and shows that no one is above the law, Human Rights Watch said today. Taylor was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity before the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone on charges that stemmed from his support for rebel groups there.

“Powerful leaders like Charles Taylor have for too long lived comfortably above the law,” said Elise Keppler, senior international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch. “Taylor’s conviction sends a message to those in power that they can be held to account for grave crimes.”

FOR THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE: Sierra Leone: Landmark Conviction of Liberian Ex-President | Human Rights Watch

NTC says ex-deputy PM suspect in general’s killing | Libya TV

NTC says ex-deputy PM suspect in general’s killing

The National Transitional Council (NTC) said on Monday a former NTC deputy prime minister was suspected of involvement in the killing of one of the rebel movement’s most senior military commanders.

General Abdel Fattah Younes was killed by his own side in July, an incident that caused deep rifts inside the rebellion against Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. The naming of the suspects risks reviving those divisions.

At a news conference broadcast on Libyan television, NTC chief military prosecutor Yussef Al-Aseifr named Ali El-Essawi as chief suspect. Essawi served as the NTC’s interim deputy prime minister until he stepped down earlier this year

Libyan interim Prime Minister Abdel-Rahim al-Keeb speaks with Abdel Hafiz Ghoga (L), vice chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC) and spokesman for the new authorities, stands next to Libyan interim Prime Minister Abdel-Rahim al-Keeb (R) as the latter speaks during a press conference about the formation of a new Libyan government in Tripoli, Libya, 22 November 2011.

“The number one suspect in the investigation is the former deputy head of (the NTC) executive office Ali Abdelaziz Saad Al-Essawi,” Aseifr said.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE: NTC says ex-deputy PM suspect in general’s killing | Libya TV

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi arrested in Libya - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

Muammar Gaddafi's son and one-time heir apparent Saif al-Islam has been detained in the southern desert, Libya's interim justice minister and other officials have said.

Fighters from the western mountain city of Zintan announced his capture on Saturday as gunfire and car horns marked jubilation across the country at the arrest of the British-educated 39-year-old who a year ago seemed set to follow his father as Libya's leader.

Saif al-Islam and three armed companions were taken without a fight during the night, officials said. Gaddafi's son was reportedly not injured, unlike Gaddafi himself, who was killed last month after being captured by fighters in his home town of Sirte.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Raheem al-Keeb officially announced the capture of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi during a news conference on Saturday evening, assuring Libyans and rest of the world he will face a fair trial.

"Because of this historic occasion, I would like to congratulate the men and women of Libya and the rebels of Libya, for their struggle, determination and heroism, which gave way to such victory," al-Keeb said to a cheering audience.

FOR THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE: Saif al-Islam Gaddafi arrested in Libya - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

UPDATE ON SAIF: BBC News - Gaddafi son Saif al-Islam 'may be trying to flee Libya'

Gaddafi son Saif al-Islam 'may be trying to flee Libya'

Saif al-Islam - once seen as his father's successor - has been in hiding since August

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Libya Crisis

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The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor says Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam may be trying to flee Libya with help from mercenaries.

In a report to the UN Security Council, Luis Moreno-Ocampo called on other countries to disrupt such plans.

The court has been trying to negotiate the surrender of the 39-year-old, who is wanted for war crimes.

Mr Ocampo also said they were examining allegations against Nato and interim forces, as well as pro-Gaddafi troops.

FOR THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE: BBC News - Gaddafi son Saif al-Islam 'may be trying to flee Libya'