Martina Johnson’s referral to trial marks a decade-long pursuit of justice by Civitas Maxima and Liberian victims. From a little-known 2014 arrest to a landmark case, it reflects sustained efforts advancing accountability for international crimes and contributing to broader justice initiatives in Liberia and beyond.
Today, Belgian judges referred Martina Johnson, former NPFL commander under Charles Taylor, to trial before the Ghent Assize Court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Liberia’s 1992 Operation Octopus.
After over a decade of investigations, the Ghent Court of First Instance has closed the investigation against Martina Johnson, accused of war crimes during Liberia’s civil war. A hearing will now determine if the case goes to trial.
From the first trial held under the principle of universal jurisdiction for international crimes committed in Gambia under former President Yahya Jammeh, to the first conviction of the Belgian state for crimes against humanity during its colonial rule, December has been full of remarkable developments regarding international justice.
Martina Johnson, Former Liberian NPFLRebel Commander, Arrested And Indicted In Belgium For Alleged War Crimes And Crimes Against Humanity First arrest ever for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committedduring the 1st Liberian civil war (1989-1996). Martina Johnson, a former front line Commander of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) of Charles Taylor […]
