Law & Justice
Swiss Court Upholds 20‑Year Sentence for Former Liberian Rebel, Drops Crimes Against Humanity Charge
The Swiss Federal Supreme Court confirmed a 20‑year prison term for former Liberian rebel commander Alieu Kosiah, but overturned his conviction for crimes against humanity. Kosiah, now 51, was found guilty in 2021 by Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Court of multiple atrocities committed during Liberia’s first civil war, which claimed about 250,000 lives between 1989 and 2003. In 2023, the appeals chamber upheld his 20‑year sentence for war crimes and, for the first time in Swiss history, ruled that he was guilty of crimes against humanity. The Supreme Court reviewed the case and, on September 28, issued its verdict. It rejected the appeal by a high‑ranking Liberian military official challenging Kosiah’s conviction for violations of the laws of war committed between 1993 and 1995, but acquitted him of the crimes‑against‑humanity charge, citing the principle of non‑retroactivity. Switzerland applies universal jurisdiction, allowing it to prosecute international crimes regardless of where they occurred. The court noted that the crimes‑against‑humanity offence, introduced into Swiss law in 2011, could not be applied to acts committed before that year. Kosiah’s conviction for violating the law of war and the maximum 20‑year custodial sentence were upheld. Civitas Maxima, a Swiss organisation that seeks justice for international crime perpetrators, said the decision finalises the first war‑crimes conviction ever handed down by a Swiss civilian court and the first conviction of a Liberian for war crimes committed during the country’s civil wars. Kosiah settled in Switzerland in the late 1990s and was arrested in 2014. Alain Werner, director of Civitas Maxima and representative of the victims, stated that survivors now have final justice, but expressed disappointment at the acquittal on crimes against humanity, arguing that the events in Lofa between 1993 and 1995 constitute such crimes. In the 2021 verdict, Kosiah was found guilty of a range of war crimes as commander of the United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy. He ordered or participated in the killing of 17 civilians and two unarmed soldiers, rape, the deployment of a child soldier, looting, and repeated cruel and humiliating treatment of civilians and mishandling of corpses.
Frequently asked questions
What was the outcome of the Swiss Supreme Court's decision on Alieu Kosiah's sentence?
The court upheld the 20‑year prison term but overturned his crimes‑against‑humanity conviction.
Why was Alieu Kosiah acquitted of the crimes‑against‑humanity charge?
The court cited the principle of non‑retroactivity, noting the offence was introduced into Swiss law in 2011 and could not apply to acts committed before that year.
What crimes was Alieu Kosiah convicted of?
He was convicted of war crimes, including killing civilians and soldiers, rape, child soldier deployment, looting, and mistreatment of civilians and corpses.