Washington (AFP) – A former Liberian rebel commander known as “Dragon Master” has pleaded guilty to US immigration fraud for lying about his role in the civil war in his home country. Laye Sekou Camara, 46, also known as “General K-1,” was accused of fraudulently obtaining a “green card” that allowed residency in the United States.
He had been scheduled to go on trial in a federal court in Philadelphia, but he entered a guilty plea on Thursday on the eve of his trial, the Justice Department said Friday. Camara was a general in a Liberian rebel group from 1999 to 2003 that fought against the government of the West African nation that was led by then-president Charles Taylor, according to court documents.
Camara falsely stated on US immigration forms that he had never participated in extrajudicial killings, had never been involved in a rebel group, and had never engaged in the recruitment or use of child soldiers, the Justice Department said. “Camara fraudulently claimed that he had not participated in Liberia’s civil war,” Edward Owens, a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement.
“In fact,” Owens said, “Camara was a high-ranking member of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebel group during Liberia’s Second Civil War.” As such, he was involved in committing atrocities, including the massacre of civilians and the recruitment of child soldiers,” he added.
According to the Global Justice and Research Project, a Liberia-based non-profit that documents war crimes, and Geneva-based NGO Civitas Maxima, victims had been prepared to testify at Camara’s trial as to his involvement in the Liberian conflict. Liberia’s brutal civil wars left around 250,000 people dead between 1989 and 2003.
Camara’s sentencing was set for May 19. He faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, the Justice Department said.
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