Three convicted of crimes against humanity

An international court modelled on the Nuremberg tribunal has convicted three top Sierra Leone rebel leaders of crimes against humanity.

Revolutionary United Front leader Issa Sesay and one of his battlefield commanders Morris Kallon were found guilty on 16 of 18 counts, including mutilation, terrorism, rape, forced marriage, sexual slavery and the enlistment of child soldiers.

Another commander, Augustine Gbao, was found guilty on 14 of the 18 counts.

All three had pleaded not guilty and shook their heads as the verdict was read.

About a half-million people were victims of killings, systematic mutilation and other atrocities during Sierra Leone' 11-year civil war, which ended in 2002.

Illicit diamond sales fuelled the conflict, dramatised by the 2006 film 'Blood Diamond', starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Rebels controlled the diamond fields and used the sale of the gem to buy guns. The rebels were allegedly trained and backed by Charles Taylor, then the warlord of neighbouring Liberia.

For more than a decade, the rebels roamed Sierra Leone's jungles, raiding villages, vying for control of the nation's diamond fields.

Amputations became their hallmark and field commanders were known by names like Captain Two Hands and Dr Blood.