Sierra Leonean and accused war criminal Gibril Massaquoi — who is awaiting a verdict in a case involving charges of murder, aggravated rape and aggravated war crimes — has been released from custody, on order by Tampere District Court.
Deliberations in Massaquoi's year-long trial concluded last month.
In its decision to release him, the district court said it took into consideration the exceptional severity of the charges he faces, as well as their large number. However, the court also noted that Massaquoi has been detained for around two years, which it said was an exceptionally long time.
The court also noted that an exceptionally long period of 20 years has elapsed since the crimes were allegedly carried out.
The court said it aims to reach a decision in the case during March-April.
"Having considered all of the above factors, the District Court considers that it would be unreasonable to continue to detain Massaquoi," the court's decision read, adding that the defendant should be released immediately, pending the issuing of a verdict in the case.
20 years ago
Massaquoi, a long-time Tampere resident, was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in March 2020. An investigation into the suspected crimes was launched as early as 2018.
According to the criminal indictment, Massaquoi, now 51, ordered the murder, torture and mutilation of civilians and participated in their cannibalisation. He was one of the leaders of the Sierra Leonean rebel group Revolutionary United Front (RUF), which took part in both the Sierra Leonean and Liberian civil wars.
The crimes were allegedly carried out from April 1999 until August 2003.
During the trial Massaquoi faced charges of dozens of murders and eight counts of aggravated rape.
Members of the district court also went to Liberia multiple times to hear testimony from dozens of witnesses.
The defendant has denied all the charges made against him.