Gibril Massaquoi

Gibril Massaquoi was a commander of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) during the Sierra Leonean Civil War.

On March 10, 2020, Mr. Massaquoi was arrested in Tampere, Finland, by the Finnish police for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Liberia between 2000 and 2003. The crimes he allegedly committed included homicide, sexual violence, and the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

On February 3, 2021, the trial against Gibril Massaquoi began in Finland. Throughout the year, hearings were held in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Finland. Mr. Massaquoi was released from custody on February 16, 2022, pending judgement. On April 29, 2022, the Pirkanmaa District Court dismissed all charges, finding that there was reasonable doubt that the defendant had committed the offences with which he was charged.

The appeal proceedings, held by the Turku Court of Appeal, began on January 10, 2023, and concluded on September 8, 2023, during which 100 witnesses testified over 60 days. As in the first instance proceedings, the Appeals Court conducted most of the hearings in Liberia.

On January 31, 2024, the Turku Court of Appeal upheld the acquittal of Gibril Massaquoi on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and murder, which he was accused of committing in Liberia during the country’s Second Civil War (1999-2003). The ruling confirmed that the Tampere District Court had correctly applied the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard. The Appeals Court ruled that the evidence presented was not sufficient to establish his guilt and therefore acquitted him of all charges.

Civitas Maxima and the GJRP submitted information regarding Massaquoi’s alleged involvement in mass atrocities in Liberia to the authorities in Finland, where he resides.