Taking the stand, Atty. Amos Kollie, a Public Defender employed by Government, testified at the Criminal Court “D” that he does not have a vivid recollection of defendant Massaquoi, one of the 13 persons on trial in the cross-border attack during the 2010-2012 war in Ivory Coast.

He said in May 2011, a team of public defenders from the office of public defenders for Montserrado County headed by Atty. Arthur Johnson, was appointed to provide legal representation for the defendants.

He said they were asked to be at the Liberia National Police headquarters where all the accused were being interrogated.

He said the information was first communicated to Atty. Johnson, who in turn asked Kollie to join him.

“Yes, indeed, we represented some people that were undergoing interrogation at the police station and it was done strictly in line with the mandate we had as public defenders,” the witness said.

Under cross-examination by defense lawyer Tiawon Gongloe, Atty. Kollie responded in the affirmative about providing legal representation for the defendants during their investigation.

However, when asked by the defense to identify defendant Massaquoi in court, Kollie said he had no recollection of the individual, adding “it has been over three years and I cannot match the name with the face of the defendant.”

Meanwhile, the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Court “D,” Judge Emery Paye has announced that the trial resumes on Friday, June 6.

The 13 alleged mercenaries were arrested between 2010 and 2011 for their alleged involvement in cross-border raids into Ivory Coast, and are currently detained at the Monrovia Central Prison.

Several persons, including seven UN peacekeepers, were reportedly killed in the cross-border attacks.
LINA C MJ/JGT/TSS/PTK