The Government has appointed British barrister Martin Hackett as the Special Prosecutor to lead the legal proceedings against individuals accused of atrocities during the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.
The appointment cements the Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) which concluded its findings with a call for justice for victims of human rights abuses.
Mr. Hackett will head the newly formed Special Prosecution Office (SPO). His primary mandate is to oversee the prosecution of a high-profile list of individuals identified by the TRRC for their roles in state-sponsored violence, torture, and extrajudicial killings between 1994 and 2017.
The prosecution includes Former President Yahya Jammeh currently in exile in Equatorial Guinea, Jammeh faces numerous charges related to crimes against humanity, the “Junglers”, medical doctors, lawyers, and others alleged to have facilitated or covered up crimes.
Accordingly, the former President and 62 others are expected to be prosecuted in the TRRC final report.
Brief background of Martin Hackett
Martin Hackett is a highly distinguished British Barrister (called to the Bar in 1995) specializing in International Criminal Law, Counter-Terrorism, and War Crime.
He is recognized by the Legal 500 as an “outstanding” and “incisive” lawyer with a rare blend of domestic and international expertise.
His extensive experience advising on and prosecuting atrocities, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), genocide, and crimes against humanity.
Also, prosecuting terrorist dissemination, explosives possession, and 3D-firearms cases, a high-level consultant for the UN, EU, and UK Government (FCDO) on national prosecution strategies and human rights justice projects.
Before his appointment advises the Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General on war crimes and the crime of aggression. He also works with the DPP in Uganda on ISIS-linked terrorism cases.
He served as Senior trial Counsel in The Hague, leading investigations into terrorist attacks against political figures, Head of the War Crimes Prosecution Unit, managing over 800 investigations and leading the prosecution of senior military commanders and leads complex UK prosecutions involving people trafficking, drug networks, and sensitive national security matters.
About the Author
