General information

Introduction
The Special Court for Sierra Leone was set up jointly by the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations. It is mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since 30 November 1996.

Thirteen indictments were issued by the Prosecutor in 2003. Two of those indictments were subsequently withdrawn in December 2003 due to the deaths of the accused.

The trials of three former leaders of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), of two members of the Civil Defence Forces (CDF) and of three former leaders of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) have been completed, including appeals. The trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor is in the Defence phase at The Hague.

The Special Court Statute
The Rules of Procedure and Evidence

Court Organization
The Special Court consists of three organs, including the Chambers (Appeals Chamber, Trial Chamber I and Trial Chamber II), The Registry (including the Defence Office), and the Office of the Prosecutor.

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Source: SCSL