VZCZCXYZ0015
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHFR #0079 0150719
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150719Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1702
INFO RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 0496
RUEAIAO/HQ ICE IAO WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS PARIS 000079
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS TO DS/CR/CIL
ICE IAO FOR ERIC SALLICK
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PHUM FR XY
SUBJECT: CONCURRENCE FOR INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE
BY RSO FREETOWN
SENSITIVE
1. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Attache,
Paris, France requests the assistance of the Regional Security
Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone in support of the investigation of
Alhaji Kabba SACCOH, a citizen and national of Sierra Leone who is
believed to have been a previous member of the Revolutionary United
Front (RUF).
2. SACCOH is identified as follows:
NAME: Alhaji Kabba SACCOH
AKA: Alhaji KABBA SACCOLT
DOB: 06/19/1972
SEX: Male
ALIEN REGISTRATION NUMBER: 096151096
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT: 6'0", 175 lbs.
3. SACCOH is presently in removal proceedings in New York, NY based
on an application that SACCOH filed for
Political Asylum. On September 5, 2007, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection intercepted a DHL package manifested as "newspaper"
containing documentation illustrating that SACCOH was a former RUF
member who was responsible for killing, maiming, and burning houses
in Sierra Leone. A letter was also included in the shipment
informing SACCOH that he is wanted in Sierra Leone. Two Internet
articles from the "Awareness Times" have also been located, printed,
and retained. These articles make similar claims to SACCOH's RUF
membership.
4. In furtherance of this investigation, the following information
is being sought from the RSO in Freetown:
* Confirmation that SACCOH was a member of the RUF.
* If applicable, confirm the current status of any active
investigation(s) in Sierra Leone against SACCOH.
* Confirm if there are any active warrants for SACCOH's arrest in
Sierra Leone and obtain copies, if applicable.
* Determine if there are any active sources of information such as
previous RUF members, turncoats, or witnesses who might be able to
assist in confirming SACCOH's RUF membership.
* If it is confirmed that SACCOH was an RUF member, obtain any
reports pertaining to atrocities or human rights abuses that SACCOH
is thought to be responsible for.
* An original copy of "The Spectator" newspaper dated September 3,
2007. The authenticity of the newspaper previously seized by CBP
has come into question and it is possible that this newspaper is not
authentic and was to be utilized by SACCOH in support of his asylum
case. If the paper seized is not genuine and SACCOH attempts to use
these or similar documents in future immigration related matters,
then criminal prosecution will be sought regardless of SACCOH's RUF
membership.
5. Digital images of SACCOH and copies of the previously referenced
documents to include "The Spectator" and the "Awareness Times" can
be provided to post under separate cover.
6. Please reference ICE Attache Paris case number PA16FR08NY0005 in
any correspondence.
7. Point of contact: Assistant ICE Attache Richard Jolles, 2 Avenue
Gabriel # A-225, 75008 Paris, France. Telephone: 33-1-4312-2371;
fax: 33-1-4562-3639.
8. Thank you for your assistance.
Lydia St. John-Mellado, ICE ATTACHE, PARIS, FRANCE
STAPLETON