O
SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE
JOMO KENYATTA ROAD • FREETOWN • SIERRA LEONE
PHONE: +1 212 963 9915 Extension: 178 7000 or +39 0831 257000 or +232 22 295995
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TRIAL CHAMBER I

RULING ON THE PROSECUTION’S APPLICATION FOR THE ENTIRE TESTIMONY OF WITNESS TF1-362 TO BE HEARD IN CLOSED SESSION

REASONED RULING ON THE PROSECUTION’S APPLICATION ON 19/04/05_FOR THE ENTIRE TESTIMONY OF WITNESS TF1-362 TO BE HEARD IN CLOSED SESSION

1. This is the reasoned Ruling of the Trial Chamber on the Prosecution’s application on the 19th of April 2005 to hear the entire testimony of Witness TF1-362 in closed session.

2. Mindful of Article 17(2) of the Statute of the Special Court for Sierra Leone which provides that the “accused shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing, subject to measures ordered by the Special Court for the protection of victims and witnesses”; and in pursuance of Rules 75 and 79 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the aforesaid Special Court, this Trial Chamber rules that, considering the information disclosed by the Prosecution in support of the application, the entire testimony of Witness TF1-362 shall be heard in closed session.

3. This exceptional procedure is required because, as was submitted by the Prosecution, if the entire testimony of this witness is heard in public, her identity will thereby be revealed with a high potential of her safety and security and that of members of her family being endangered.
4. Further, the fact of her prominent role in the RUF during relevant periods as charged in the Indictment, and the specific roles she played (as indicated by the Prosecution) do increase her vulnerability of her being identified.
5. In conclusion, it is the considered opinion of the Chamber that if her testimony is heard in public, it would lead to her identification, and thereby jeopardise her safety and security and that of members of her family, a matter of grave concern to her.