TUBMANBURG, Bomi – Lawyers representing the Government of Liberia in the ongoing human trafficking case have asked the eleventh judicial circuit court to bar journalists and the public from the trial proceedings.

Cllr. H. Deddeh J. Wilson, who is the Acting Chief Prosecutor for the Ministry of Justice’s Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Unit, told the court that due to the sensitive nature of the case, it should be held “in camera” in keeping with the Sexual Offenses Act of Liberia. The legal term means “in private.”

Cllr. Deddeh J. Wilson, the Acting Chief Prosecutor for the Ministry of Justice’s Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Unit

Wilson said the prosecution’s request should not affect court staff or relatives of both the defendant and victims, but it should restrict journalists and others in the public not directly connected with it.

The Liberian Code of Laws does specify that all rape cases should be heard in camera.

The prosecution made its request after the impaneled jury of 15 men and women was completed on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.

Lawyers representing defendant Abbas El Debes resisted the prosecution’s request to Judge William Sando.

Defendant Abbas El Debes is escorted to the courtroom. Photo: Zeze Ballah

Attorney Arthur Tamba Johnson, one of the defense counsels representing El Debes, argued that the defendant is accused of the crimes of illicit trafficking in human beings, migrant smuggling, and gang rape. Because those charges qualify as first-degree felonies, Johnson said they should not be considered rape and, therefore, the “in camera” clause would not apply.

“The defendant is also accused of criminal conspiracy to commit human trafficking and gang rape, which under the principle of inchoate offense also is felonious,” Johnson noted.

He said the constitution required the defendant to be tried in a fair manner including with the right to a public hearing.

Moreover, the defense team contended holding the trial in camera would be unnecessary because the alleged victims have publicized themselves in the Liberian media. Therefore, their identities were no longer secret.

“During most of these talk show calls, the alleged victims called and cited their case to the public on radio, newspapers and TV stations [in an attempt] to conduct a trial through the Liberian media before the actual trial commences,” Johnson said.

Johnson asked the court to deny the prosecution’s request for in camera proceedings.

The judge reserved his ruling on the in-camera trial for a later date.

Featured photo by Zeze Ballah