2013
Government of Sierra Leone Hosts Formal Closing Ceremony for the Special Court.
Statement by President Ernest Bai Koroma
Statement by Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs Miguel de Serpa Soares
Photo Gallery of the Ceremony
3 December 2013
Justice Philip Waki Elected President of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone.
3 December 2013
Special Court Hands Over Courthouse and Complex to the Government of Sierra Leone.
Video of the Handover
2 December 2013
Sixteen Judges Sworn-in for Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Photo Gallery of the Ceremony
Video of the Swearing-in
2 December 2013
Appeals Chamber Overturns Contempt Conviction of Former Defence Investigator Prince Taylor.
30 October 2013
Charles Taylor Transferred to the UK for the Enforcement of his Sentence.
15 October 2013
Appeals Chamber Upholds Charles Taylor's Conviction, 50 Year Sentence.
26 September 2013
Charles Taylor Appeal Judgement Scheduled for 26 September 2013.
27 August 2013
Government of Sierra Leone to Enforce Sentences of Special Court Contempt Prisoners.
16 August 2013
Justice George Gelaga King Elected President of the Special Court.
4 June 2013
Prince Taylor Appeal Denied for Late Filing; Judges Rule Appeal Not Properly Before the Chamber.
14 May 2013
Appeals Chamber Upholds Contempt Convictions Against Former AFRC Leaders.
21 March 2013
Former Special Court Investigator Prince Taylor Sentenced to 2-1/2 Years in Prison.
8 February 2013
Former Special Court Investigator Convicted of Interference With Witnesses.
25 January 2013
Oral Hearings Conclude in Taylor Appeal, Judges Will Now Retire to Deliberate and Consider Judgement.
23 January 2013
2012
Four Sentenced for Interference in the Administration of Justice.
11 October 2012
Former Special Court Investigator Accused of Contempt.
6 October 2012
AFRC Leaders Found Guilty of Contempt, Interfering in the Administration of Justice.
25 September 2012
Defence Case Closes, Final Arguments, in Bangura, et. al. Contempt Trial.
6 September 2012
Eric Koi Senessie Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Contempt of the Special Court.
5 July 2012
Eric Koi Senessie Convicted of Contempt of Court for Witness Tampering.
22 June 2012
Statement by Special Court President Justice Shireen Avis Fisher on the detention of ICC staff in Libya.
15 June 2012
Justice Fisher Elected President of the Special Court.
4 June 2012
Charles Taylor Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison.
30 May 2012
Prosecution, Defence Present Oral Arguments at Taylor Sentencing Hearing.
16 May 2012
Morris Anyah Named Lead Defence Counsel for Taylor Appeal.
4 May 2012
Charles Taylor Convicted on all 11 Counts; Sentencing Scheduled for 30 May.
26 April 2012
Trial Chamber to Deliver Taylor Judgment on 26 April 2012.
1 March 2012
Justice Philip Waki of Kenya Sworn in as Alternate Appeal Judge.
27 February 2012
Justice Richard Lussick Elected Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber II.
18 January 2012
2011
Justice Julia Sebutinde of Trial Chamber II Elected to the International Court of Justice.
16 December 2011
Statement by President Jon M. Kamanda on the Death of Judge Antonio Cassese.
24 October 2011
One Conviction, Four Plead Not Guilty to Contempt Charges.
15 July 2011
Initial Appearance for Five Accused of Contempt Will Take Place July 15.
1 July 2011
Special Court Pays Tribute to Former Registrar Robin Vincent.
13 June 2011
Justice Jon Kamanda Re-elected President of the Special Court.
9 June 2011
Court Indicts Five for Contempt, Alleges Interference With Witnesses.
7 June 2011
Peace Museum Preview Opens at Special Court.
29 April 2011
UN Hands Over Special Court Security to Sierra Leone Police.
17 February 2011
2010
Defence Rests Their Case in Charles Taylor Trial.
12 November 2010
Special Court Opens Investigation Into Pirated Videos.
11 August 2010
Justice Jon Kamanda Elected Special Court President; Judges End Plenary.
31 May 2010
Fidelma Donlon Named Deputy Registrar.
24 May 2010
Special Court Hands Over Detention Facility to Sierra Leone Prison Service.
19 May 2010
Taylor Trial Moves to STL Courtroom.
13 May 2010
Brenda Hollis Named Special Court Prosecutor.
22 February 2010
Binta Mansaray Named Special Court Registrar.
22 February 2010
Justice Julia Sebutinde Elected Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber II.
15 January 2010
2009
Special Court Hands Over Detention Facility to Government of Sierra Leone.
16 November 2009
Special Court Launches Witness Protection Training Programme.
6 November 2009
Justice Jon Kamanda Elected President of the Special Court.
2 November 2009
Claire Carlton-Hanciles Named Special Court Principal Defender.
2 November 2009
Special Court Prisoners Transferred to Rwanda to Serve Their Sentences.
31 October 2009
Appeals Chamber Upholds Sentences for Convicted Revolutionary United Front Leaders.
26 October 2009
Joseph F. Kamara Named Acting Prosecutor.
8 September 2009
Mongolian Guard Force Honoured by Special Court at Rotation Ceremony.
14 August 2009
Special Court Officials Brief U.N. Security Council on Progress, Challenges.
16 July 2009
Special Court Signs Enforcement Agreement with Finland.
30 June 2009
Justice Renate Winter Re-elected President of the Special Court.
25 May 2009
Trial Chamber Dismisses Motion for Judgment of Acquittal, Orders Taylor Defence to Open on June 29.
4 May 2009
Justice Shireen Avis Fisher Sworn in as Appeals Judge.
4 May 2009
Long Sentences for Convicted RUF Leaders.
8 April 2009
Registrar Herman von Hebel to Leave Special Court.
7 April 2009
Special Court Concludes Enforcement Agreement With Rwanda.
20 March 2009
Prosecution Rests in the Trial of Charles Taylor.
27 February 2009
Former RUF Leaders Found Guilty of War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity.
25 February 2009
RUF Trial Judgment is Special Court's Last in Sierra Leone.
20 February 2009
Prosecution Witness Testimony Ends in the Trial of Charles Taylor.
30 January 2009
2008
Justice A. Raja N. Fernando Passes Away.
24 November 2008
Special Court Launches Glossary of Legal Terms in Local Languages.
6 November 2008
Statement by Registrar Herman von Hebel regarding the request by the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission for an audience with Charles Taylor.
5 September 2008
Closing Arguments Conclude in RUF Trial.
5 August 2008
Justice Boutet Elected Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber I.
4 July 2008
Testimony Ends in RUF Trial; Last Witness Testifies in Freetown.
25 June 2008
Justice Jon Kamanda Elected Vice President of Special Court.
30 May 2008
Justice Renate Winter Elected President of Special Court.
29 May 2008
Appeals Chamber Upholds Sentences of Convicted AFRC Leaders.
22 February 2008
Special Court Convenes International Conference to Consider Residual Issues.
18 February 2008
Prison Officers recognised by Special Court.
4 February 2008
Justice Teresa Doherty Elected Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber II.
18 January 2008
2007
Serbian Officials to Visit Special Court.
7 December 2007
Justice Jon Kamanda Sworn in as Appeals Judge.
7 November 2007
Former CDF Militia Leaders Sentenced by Special Court.
9 October 2007
War Crimes Convictions in CDF Accused Trial.
2 August 2007
New Registrar, Deputy Registrar for the Special Court.
20 July 2007
Former AFRC Leaders Sentenced to Long Prison Sentences for Crimes in Sierra Leone.
19 July 2007
Inquiry finds Special Court Provided Proper Care to Hinga Norman.
16 July 2007
Hon. Justice Benjamin Itoe Elected Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber I.
5 July 2007
Guilty Verdicts in the Trial of the AFRC Accused.
20 June 2007
Special Court President Calls on International Community for Continued Support.
8 June 2007
Justice George Gelaga-King Re-Elected President of Special Court.
17 May 2007
Justice El Hadji Malick Sow of Senegal Sworn in as Alternate Judge.
11 May 2007
Autopsy Shows Sam Hinga Norman Died of Natural Causes.
28 March 2007
Herman von Hebel Named Acting Registrar.
20 March 2007
Registrar Lovemore Munlo, SC Announces His Departure from Special Court.
19 March 2007
Body of Sam Hinga Norman Handed Over to Family.
7 March 2007
Special Court President Orders Inquiry into Death of Hinga Norman.
23 February 2007
Special Court Principal Defender Regrets the Death of Samuel Hinga Norman.
23 February 2007
Special Court Indictee Sam Hinga Norman Dies in Dakar.
22 February 2007
Special Court Receives a Euro 600,000 for Legacy From the European Commission.
16 February 2007
Justice Julia Sebutinde Elected Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber II.
18 January 2007
2006
New Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
7 December 2006
Defence Testimony Ends in AFRC Accused Trial.
27 October 2006
Defence Testimony Ends in CDF Accused Trial.
18 October 2006
Prosecution Concludes Case in RUF Trial.
2 August 2006
Special Court Returns Bonthe Island Facility to the Sierra Leone Government.
20 July 2006
Justice Thompson Elected Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber I.
19 June 2006
Special Court Registrar Welcomes United Nations Security Council Resolution.
16 June 2006
Defence Opens Case in AFRC Accused Trial.
5 June 2006
New President for the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
15 May 2006
Defence Office Moves to Ensure Fair Trial Rights for Mr. Charles Taylor.
31 March 2006
Special Court President Requests Charles Taylor be Tried in The Hague.
30 March 2006
Lovemore Munlo Becomes Registrar at Special Court.
24 February 2006
Special Court Launches International Humanitarian Law Booklet.
17 February 2006
U.K. Judges Gain First-Hand Insight on International Humanitarian Law at Special Court.
7 February 2006
Justice Renate Winter to Serve as New Vice-President of the Court.
27 January 2006
Principal Defender Hails Opening of Defence Case as Another Landmark for the Special Court.
20 January 2006
Statement issued by the Principal Defender at the beginning of the Defence case in the CDF trial.
20 January 2006
Justice Lussick Elected Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber II.
18 January 2006
Mongolian Peacekeepers Take Over Security at Special Court.
8 January 2006
2005
Prosecution Closes Case in AFRC Accused Trial.
21 November 2005
Defence Office Holds seminar to Train Investigators.
9 November 2005
Special Court, Canadian Government, Train Police Investigators in Sierra Leone.
7 November 2005
Court Hands Down Decision on Motions for Judgment of Acquittal in CDF Case.
21 October 2005
Lovemore Munlo Takes Up Post as Interim Registrar.
3 October 2005
Justice Geoffrey Robertson to Serve as New Vice-President of the Court.
27 September 2005
Oral arguments scheduled for Tuesday in CDF case.
19 September 2005
New Security Building Dedicated to the Memory of the Late Bob Parnell.
15 September 2005
Former Detention Staff Members Honoured.
26 August 2005
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Visits the Special Court.
15 July 2005
Prosecution Wraps Up Case in Trial of CDF Accused.
14 July 2005
New Deputy Prosecutor for the Special Court.
11 July 2005
New Principal Defender for the Special Court.
6 June 2005
Justice Boutet Elected Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber I.
27 May 2005
New President of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
26 May 2005
Special Court President Addresses the Security Council.
24 May 2005
Address by Special Court President Justice Emmanuel Ayoola to the United Nations Security Council.
24 May 2005
New Prosecutor Selected for Special Court for Sierra Leone.
5 May 2005
Trial Chamber Issues Order to Indict Five People for Contempt of Court.
3 May 2005
Procedure for Selecting a New Prosecutor.
8 March 2005
Second Trial Chamber Sworn In.
17 January 2005
2004
German President Visits the Special Court.
7 December 2004
New Schedule for Special Court Trials.
6 December 2004
A Statement by Registrar Robin Vincent.
23 October 2004
Interpol Discloses 'Red Notice' for Johnny Paul Koroma.
21 October 2004
Special Court President Addresses Sierra Leonean Students.
21 October 2004
Statement by the Registrar on Peter Halloran.
18 August 2004
Registrar Visits Liberia.
16 July 2004
Security Council Mission Visits the Special Court.
25 June 2004
Statement by the Registrar on the passing of Defence Counsel Terence Terry.
22 June 2004
Judge Itoe takes over as Presiding Judge of Trial Chamber.
4 June 2004
Statement by Justice Emmanuel Olayinka Ayoola, President, Special Court for Sierra Leone.
2 June 2004
Appeals Chamber rules recruitment of child combatants a crime under international law.
1 June 2004
Charles Taylor is subject to criminal proceedings before the Special Court.
31 May 2004
New President of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
27 May 2004
First Trial to Begin on June 3.
11 May 2004
Trial Chamber Approves New Count of Forced Marriage.
7 May 2004
Judge Orders Norman's Bank Account Unfrozen.
20 April 2004
Special Court Marks International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda.
7 April 2004
Justice Renate Winter to act as President of the Special Court.
16 March 2004
Press Release issued by the Plenary Meeting of the Special Court.
15 March 2004
Justice Geoffrey Robertson to remain on Appeals Chamber but won't hear RUF cases.
13 March 2004
Joint Statement on Implementation of Inter-Tribunal Co-operation Projects.
12 March 2004
Special Court for Sierra Leone Officially Opens New Courthouse.
10 March 2004
Appeals Justices convene hearing on defence motion regarding Court President Justice Geoffrey Robertson.
9 March 2004
Special Court to Host Charity Fundraiser 'Play for Justice'.
5 March 2004
Defence Motion Seeks Removal of Appeals Chamber President.
3 March 2004
Trial Chamber Joinder Decision: Accused to be Tried in Three Groups.
27 January 2004
Norman Communications Restricted.
21 January 2004
Security Exercise at the Special Court Complex.
2 January 2004
2003
Prosecutor Withdraws Indictments Against Sankoh and Bockarie.
5 December 2003
Red Notice Issued for Charles Taylor.
4 December 2003
The Special Court Responds to TRC Statement.
3 December 2003
Hearings on the Prosecution Motion for Joinder.
1 December 2003
Special Court Releases New Booklet to Students.
14 November 2003
The Court Rules Trials Should be Held Without Undue Delay.
5 November 2003
First Appeals Session to Hear Arguments on Immunity for Taylor and Other Issues.
6 October 2003
Appeal Chamber Hearings: Questions of Law.
6 October 2003
Groundbreaking for New Courthouse.
3 October 2003
Santigie Kanu Pleads Not Guilty.
23 September 2003
Sierra Construction Systems Wins Bid to Build Courthouse.
20 September 2003
Santigie Kanu Indicted.
17 September 2003
Chinese Government donate Furniture To Special Court For Sierra Leone.
28 August 2003
Indictees Occupy New Detention Facility in Freetown.
11 August 2003
Sankoh's Body Released to Family.
2 August 2003
Registrar Announces the Death of Foday Sankoh.
30 July 2003
In the First Special Court Hearings in Freetown, Sankoh's Request is Denied.
22 July 2003
New Rules of Procedures and Evidence Adopted.
21 July 2003
Special Court Delegation of Donors visits Kailahun.
21 July 2003
Donors Announce Winner of Court House Design.
21 July 2003
On World Day for International Justice, Special Court Requests Assistance in Arresting Indictees.
21 July 2003
Security Council Mission Visits Special Court.
4 July 2003
Fofana and Kondewa Plead Not Guilty.
1 July 2003
President Kabbah Tours Special Court Facilities.
24 June 2003
No Country Found to Take Sankoh for Medical Treatment.
11 June 2003
Court President Requests UN Security Council's Chapter Seven.
11 June 2003
Indictee Bazzy Pleads 'Not Guilty'; First Appearances for Suspects Fofana and Kondewa.
4 June 2003
Special Court Obtains Bockarie's Alleged Body.
2 June 2003
Detainees Claim to be on Hunger Strike.
27 May 2003
Special Court Must Apply International Law Standards.
8 May 2003
Court Rebuttal of Allegations of Mistreatment by Mr Edo Okanya.
1 May 2003
Gbao pleads not guilty to charges in front of the Special Court.
26 April 2003
Status of Detention of the Accused.
7 April 2003
Sankoh Needs Further Evaluation.
21 March 2003
First Suspect Detained.
21 March 2003
Brima and Kallon Plead Not Guilty.
17 March 2003
Sesay Pleads Not Guilty: Three Other Hearings Adjourned.
15 March 2003
Only Seven Arrest Warrants to date.
13 March 2003
Registry Staff Occupy Offices on Permanent Site.
17 January 2003
2002
Special Court Calls for Students to Take a Lead in Human Rights.
11 December 2002
Remarks by Prosecutor David M. Crane for International Human Rights Day.
10 December 2002
Judges Elect Geoffrey Robertson QC as President.
3 December 2002
Special Court Judges Sworn-in.
2 December 2002
International Judges Arrive in Sierra Leone for Swearing-in.
28 November 2002
Special Court Prosecutor Meets with FSSG.
26 November 2002
Prosecutor of Special Court Goes to Daru.
21 November 2002
More Sierra Leoneans in Prosecutor's Office than Any Other Nationality.
6 November 2002
Special Court Prosecutor Says He Will Not Prosecute Children.
2 November 2002
Forensic Expert Begins Examination of Mass Graves.
25 October 2002
Prosecutor Visits Makeni.
16 October 2002
Contractors Working on New Court Complex.
11 October 2002
Prosecutor for the Special Court Begins Holding 'Town Hall' Meetings.
27 September 2002
Special Court Investigators Cordon off their First Crime Scene.
27 September 2002