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US
national arrested on Sierra Leone 'blood diamond' charges (image source: www.theguardian.com)
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Spanish authorities have arrested a American man on charges
of enslavement and diamond pillaging during Sierra Leone's civil war, a
victims' association said on Saturday. Michel Desaedeleer, who has U.S. and Belgian
citizenship, is suspected of forcing enslaved civilians to mine for diamonds in
Sierra Leone's eastern district of Kono between 1999-2001, according to
Swiss-based Civitas Maxima.
During Sierra Leone's
long conflict, the diamonds were sent to neighbouring Liberia where former
President Charles Taylor used the proceeds to finance weapons for rebels.
Reutes report continues:
"(The case) will
help to raise awareness of the pivotal role played by financial actors in the
trade of mineral resources that fuel armed conflicts in Africa and
elsewhere," said Alain Werner, director of Civitas Maxima, which has been
working for years to document the crimes and assist victims.
A Belgian investigation
led to a European arrest warrant being issued against Desaedeleer earlier this
year. He is normally resident in the United States.
More than 50,000 people
died in the 11-year conflict and many more were left maimed by the notorious
Revolutionary United Front. Taylor is now serving a 50-year sentence for war
crimes.
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