Friday 9th May 2025
No Result
View All Result
RSCSL

Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone

Light Mode
Dark Mode
  • Home
  • The RSCSL
    • Roster of Judges
    • Principals
    • Annual Reports
    • Mandate
    • Documents
    • Decisions
    • Archives
    • Vacancies & Internships
  • The SCSL
    • The Court
      • Chambers & Judges
        • Trial Chamber I
        • Trial Chamber II
        • Appeals Chamber
      • Office of the Prosecutor
      • Office of the Registrar
      • Office of the Principal Defender
      • Other Registry Sections
        • General Services Section
        • Procurement
        • Communication and Information Technology Section
        • Outreach and Public Affairs
        • Personnel Section
        • Finance
        • Court Management Section
        • Detention Unit
        • Security Section
        • Witness and Victim Support
    • Cases
      • CDF
        • CDF Trial Chamber Decisions
        • CDF Appeals Chamber Decisions
        • CDF Transcripts
      • RUF
        • RUF Trial Chamber Decisions
        • RUF Appeals Chamber Decisions
        • RUF Trial Transcripts
      • AFRC
        • AFRC Trial Chamber Decisions
        • AFRC Appeals Chamber Decisions
        • AFRC Transcripts
      • Charles Taylor
        • Taylor Trial Chamber Decisions
        • Taylor Appeal Chamber Decisions
        • Taylor Trial Transcripts
      • Contempt
        • 2012-01: Charles Ghankay Taylor
          • Decision
        • 2005-01: Brima Samura
          • Decision
        • 2012-02: Prince Taylor
          • Decision
          • Transcripts
        • 2005-02: Margaret Fomba Brima
          • Decision
        • 2005-03: Anifa Kamara
          • Decision
        • 2011-01: Eric Koi Senessie
          • Decision
          • Transcripts
        • 2011-02: Bangura
          • Decision
          • Transcripts
      • Other Cases
        • Foday Saybana Sankoh
        • Johnny Paul Koroma
        • Sam “Maskita” Bockarie
      • Code of Conduct Decision – Yada Williams and Ibrahim Yillah
    • Court Records
    • Trial Videos & Transcripts
    • Annual Reports
    • Registry Press Releases
    • Prosecution Press Releases
    • Press Clippings
    • Documents
  • News
  • Peace Museum
    • About the Peace Museum
    • Sierra Leone TRC Report
    • Peace Museum Virtual Tour
    • Visit the Peace Museum
    • Book the Peace Hall
    • Donate
    • Photo Gallery
  • Legacy & Outreach
    • Photo Gallery
    • Publications
    • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • The RSCSL
    • Roster of Judges
    • Principals
    • Annual Reports
    • Mandate
    • Documents
    • Decisions
    • Archives
    • Vacancies & Internships
  • The SCSL
    • The Court
      • Chambers & Judges
        • Trial Chamber I
        • Trial Chamber II
        • Appeals Chamber
      • Office of the Prosecutor
      • Office of the Registrar
      • Office of the Principal Defender
      • Other Registry Sections
        • General Services Section
        • Procurement
        • Communication and Information Technology Section
        • Outreach and Public Affairs
        • Personnel Section
        • Finance
        • Court Management Section
        • Detention Unit
        • Security Section
        • Witness and Victim Support
    • Cases
      • CDF
        • CDF Trial Chamber Decisions
        • CDF Appeals Chamber Decisions
        • CDF Transcripts
      • RUF
        • RUF Trial Chamber Decisions
        • RUF Appeals Chamber Decisions
        • RUF Trial Transcripts
      • AFRC
        • AFRC Trial Chamber Decisions
        • AFRC Appeals Chamber Decisions
        • AFRC Transcripts
      • Charles Taylor
        • Taylor Trial Chamber Decisions
        • Taylor Appeal Chamber Decisions
        • Taylor Trial Transcripts
      • Contempt
        • 2012-01: Charles Ghankay Taylor
          • Decision
        • 2005-01: Brima Samura
          • Decision
        • 2012-02: Prince Taylor
          • Decision
          • Transcripts
        • 2005-02: Margaret Fomba Brima
          • Decision
        • 2005-03: Anifa Kamara
          • Decision
        • 2011-01: Eric Koi Senessie
          • Decision
          • Transcripts
        • 2011-02: Bangura
          • Decision
          • Transcripts
      • Other Cases
        • Foday Saybana Sankoh
        • Johnny Paul Koroma
        • Sam “Maskita” Bockarie
      • Code of Conduct Decision – Yada Williams and Ibrahim Yillah
    • Court Records
    • Trial Videos & Transcripts
    • Annual Reports
    • Registry Press Releases
    • Prosecution Press Releases
    • Press Clippings
    • Documents
  • News
  • Peace Museum
    • About the Peace Museum
    • Sierra Leone TRC Report
    • Peace Museum Virtual Tour
    • Visit the Peace Museum
    • Book the Peace Hall
    • Donate
    • Photo Gallery
  • Legacy & Outreach
    • Photo Gallery
    • Publications
    • Resources
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
RSCSL
No Result
View All Result

Home » Statement by the Residual Special Court on the Conditional Early Release of Prisoners Convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone

Statement by the Residual Special Court on the Conditional Early Release of Prisoners Convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone

12 November 2020
in Press Releases
Statement by the Residual Special Court on the Conditional Early Release of Prisoners Convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone

In view of misinformation being circulated online about the treatment of prisoners convicted by the Special Court, in part by several of the prisoners themselves but also by persons living outside of Sierra Leone, the Residual Special Court, or RSCSL, finds it necessary to address a misunderstanding about one issue in particular: the Court’s conditional early release of prisoners.

Under the Residual Special Court (RSCSL) Statute, convicted persons are eligible to apply for conditional early release after they have served two thirds of their sentences, and if the President of the RSCSL determines that they have fulfilled a number of conditions, including conducting themselves properly while in prison. Once found eligible, the Court will investigate to establish that they are not a danger to the community in which they intend to reside, or to the witnesses who testified against them. The convicted person may then be allowed to finish serving his sentence in that community, subject to strict conditions and monitoring.

We stress that the release or transfer of prisoners is a judicial decision only, made by the President of the Residual Special Court in line with the RSCSL Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. Neither the United Nations nor the Government of Sierra Leone has a role in these decisions. It is important to remember that these prisoners were convicted by an international court, with each chamber having a majority of international judges. The length of their sentences is based on the seriousness of the crimes for which they, as individuals, were found guilty. The prisoners are serving their sentences outside of Sierra Leone, in Rwanda and the UK, to avoid the risk of jailbreaking.

Moinina Fofana was granted conditional early release in 2015 after serving two-thirds of his sentence at Mpanga Prison in Rwanda. He completed his 15 year sentence in May 2018. Allieu Kondewa has completed two thirds of his 20 year sentence and is currently serving out the remainder of his sentence on conditional early release. Augustine Gbao was approved for conditional early release this September after he served two thirds of his 25 year sentence. Before being released, Augustine Gbao is undergoing a three-month training geared to his understanding of and acceptance of responsibility for the harm he inflicted by his crimes. Five other persons, including former Liberian President Charles Taylor at HM Prison Frankland in the UK, have not yet served two thirds of their sentences and so are not yet eligible to apply for conditional early release. They are being held in accordance with international standards, with their sentences supervised by the RSCSL and prison conditions monitored by international human rights organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross.

We take these attempts at disinformation seriously because of their potential to interfere with the administration of justice. Under Rule 77 of the RSCSL Rules of Procedure and Evidence, “The Residual Special Court, in the exercise of its inherent power, may punish for contempt any person who knowingly and willfully interferes with the administration of justice by the Special Court or Residual Special Court”.

A conviction for contempt is punishable by a sentence of up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to 20 million leones, or both.

Further information on conditional early release can be found on the Court’s website, at www.rscsl.org.

Previous Post

RUF Convict Augustine Gbao Granted Conditional Early Release, With a Three Month Delay

Next Post

SCSL convict Augustine Gbao is first member of the rebel Revolutionary United Front to benefit from Conditional Early Release

Next Post
SCSL convict Augustine Gbao is first member of the rebel Revolutionary United Front to benefit from Conditional Early Release

SCSL convict Augustine Gbao is first member of the rebel Revolutionary United Front to benefit from Conditional Early Release

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Justice Winter lighting the flame of Justice

RSCSL Legacy Conference Wraps Up in Freetown

29 February 2024
CDF: The Prosecutor vs. Sam Hinga Norman, Moinina Fofana and Allieu Kondewa

Allieu Kondewa Completes Sentence, is Free From the Jurisdiction of the Court

29 May 2023
Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, former Special Court Judge, Passes Away in Nigeria.

Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, former Special Court Judge, Passes Away in Nigeria.

22 August 2024
Statement by the Residual Special Court on the Conditional Early Release of Prisoners Convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone

An interview with a Human Rights Activist and Registrar of the Residual Special Court, Binta Mansaray

20 November 2023
RSCSL Completes Project to Preserve Archives, Expand Peace Museum, Funded by Canada

RSCSL Completes Project to Preserve Archives, Expand Peace Museum, Funded by Canada

0
Justice Pierre G. Boutet

Judges End Plenary in The Hague, Elect Justice Pierre Boutet President.

0

RSCSL, in Collaboration with CILPA, Observes the 20th Anniversary of the End of War and Establishment of Special Court.

0
Two Sierra Leonean judges, Justice Alusine Sanie Sesay and Justice Tonia Barnett, were sworn in today before RSCSL President, Justice Jon Kamanda as members of the roster of 16 Judges of the Residual Special Court. In a ceremony held at the Sierra Leone Peace Museum in Freetown, each subscribed to the Solemn Declaration, laid out under Rule 14(A), to serve "honestly, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously" as a Judge of the RSCSL.

Judges Tonia Barnett and Alusine Sesay Sworn In as RSCSL Justices

0
SIDE-EVENT OF THE 23RD SESSION OF THE ICC ASP The Flame of Justice: Legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone

SIDE-EVENT OF THE 23RD SESSION OF THE ICC ASP The Flame of Justice: Legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone

27 November 2024
Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, former Special Court Judge, Passes Away in Nigeria.

Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, former Special Court Judge, Passes Away in Nigeria.

22 August 2024
RSCSL Legacy Conference Report

RSCSL Legacy Conference Report

5 August 2024
RSCSL Judges Hold Plenary Meeting in Freetown

RSCSL Judges Hold Plenary Meeting in Freetown

4 March 2024

Recent News

SIDE-EVENT OF THE 23RD SESSION OF THE ICC ASP The Flame of Justice: Legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone

SIDE-EVENT OF THE 23RD SESSION OF THE ICC ASP The Flame of Justice: Legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone

27 November 2024
Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, former Special Court Judge, Passes Away in Nigeria.

Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, former Special Court Judge, Passes Away in Nigeria.

22 August 2024
RSCSL Legacy Conference Report

RSCSL Legacy Conference Report

5 August 2024
RSCSL Judges Hold Plenary Meeting in Freetown

RSCSL Judges Hold Plenary Meeting in Freetown

4 March 2024
  • About
  • Privacy and Cookie Notice
  • Contact Us
  • @SpecialCourt on Twitter

© 2022 - 2023 Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • The RSCSL
    • Roster of Judges
    • Principals
    • Annual Reports
    • Mandate
    • Documents
    • Decisions
    • Archives
    • Vacancies & Internships
  • The SCSL
    • The Court
      • Chambers & Judges
      • Office of the Prosecutor
      • Office of the Registrar
      • Office of the Principal Defender
      • Other Registry Sections
    • Cases
      • CDF
      • RUF
      • AFRC
      • Charles Taylor
      • Contempt
      • Other Cases
      • Code of Conduct Decision – Yada Williams and Ibrahim Yillah
    • Court Records
    • Trial Videos & Transcripts
    • Annual Reports
    • Registry Press Releases
    • Prosecution Press Releases
    • Press Clippings
    • Documents
  • News
  • Peace Museum
    • About the Peace Museum
    • Sierra Leone TRC Report
    • Peace Museum Virtual Tour
    • Visit the Peace Museum
    • Book the Peace Hall
    • Donate
    • Photo Gallery
  • Legacy & Outreach
    • Photo Gallery
    • Publications
    • Resources
  • Contact Us

© 2022 - 2023 Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone. All Rights Reserved