The trial of a man accused of committing serious war crimes during Liberia's second civil war two decades ago began at Tampere District Court on Monday.

The defendant, Sierra Leonean national Gibril Massaquoi, faces several serious charges including dozens of murders, eight rapes as well as aggravated war crimes and aggravated human rights violations during the years 1999-2003.

The criminal indictment said Massaquoi ordered the murder, torture and mutilation of civilians as well as participating in their cannibalisation.

Adolphus Mawolo reports.