Authorities re-arrest freed Sierra Leone war crimes convict

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) — Authorities have re-arrested a former leader of a militia accused of torturing and mutilating civilians during Sierra Leone's civil war after he violated terms of his early release, a security official said Friday.

Moinina Fofana was convicted by a United Nations-backed special court in 2007 of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, cruel treatment, pillage and collective punishment.

Fofana was the first person to be released from prison after being convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Special Court for Sierra Leone.