Eight Defendants Convicted on All Charges in Liberia’s Largest Human Trafficking Trial
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eight Defendants Convicted on All Charges in Liberia’s Largest Human Trafficking Trial
Monrovia, Liberia — In a landmark verdict, a unanimous jury has found all eight defendants guilty on every charge in what is regarded as Liberia’s largest human trafficking trial. The jury returned its verdict after approximately 20 minutes of deliberation.
The case involved 57 victims who testified that they were lured with false promises of employment opportunities in Canada. According to evidence presented during the trial, the victims were instead held captive for months at a compound near Gbankpa Town, where they were subjected to severe abuse, including physical assaults, sexual violence, starvation, and coercion to extort money from their own families.
The prosecution of the case faced significant challenges before reaching trial. A joint investigation by FrontPage Africa and New Narratives reported allegations that bribes had been paid in an attempt to reduce the charges and allow the accused to avoid prosecution. The verdict represents a significant moment for Liberia’s justice system, demonstrating the ability of the courts and jury process to hold offenders accountable despite allegations of corruption that threatened to undermine the case.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
