THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HISTORICAL SENTENCE IN IMMIGRATION FRAUD CASE Facts Mohammed Jabbateh In his capacity as ULIMO-K leader, Mohammed Jabbateh allegedly ordered, facilitated and encouraged murder of civilian non-combatants, enslavement and sexual enslavement, public raping, maiming of civilians, torture, conscription of child soldiers, execution of prisoners of war, and the desecration and mutilation of corpses. Context Ongoing trial in Philadelphia (USA) for immigration fraud and perjury. The accused lied to the immigration authorities regarding his involvement in the first Liberian civil war (1989–1996) Suspect High-ranking officer in the United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO), a rebel group fighting against Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) Country of residence of suspect United States of America Charges Two counts of fraud in immigration documents, two counts of perjury Developments in 2018 On 19 April 2018, Mohammed Jabbateh was sentenced to 30 years in prison for immigration frauds and perjury. He appealed his conviction and sentence. Current status Convicted; sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment During the first Liberian civil war (1989–1996), Mohammed Jabbateh was a high-ranking officer in the rebel group ULIMO. Procedure Mohammed Jabbateh was arrested on 13 April 2016 in Philadelphia. He was placed under house arrest on 18 April 2016. Civitas Maxima and its Liberia-based sister organization, the Global Justice and Research Project (GJRP), has collaborated with the US Department of Homeland Security on the investigation since 2014. The trial officially began on 2 October 2017 in Philadelphia. Over 20 victims came from Liberia to testify regarding crimes committed by Mohammed Jabbateh or under his control. They testified about rapes and torture, killings and looting, pillaging and acts of ritual cannibalism; committed personally or ordered, facilitated, and/or encouraged by Mohammed Jabbateh among his ULIMO fighters. Mohammed Jabbateh’s trial began on 2 October 2017 in Philadelphia. He was charged with two counts of fraud in immigration documents, and two counts of perjury stemming from statements he made in connection with his applications for asylum, and later for legal permanent residence in the United States of America. On 18 October 2017, he was found guilty by a jury on all four counts. Read more about the case 76