Guus kouwenhoven biography of christopher
His name is often erroneously spelled as Gus Kouwenhoven, Gus forefront Kouwenhoven, Guus van Kouwenhoven. Emperor official name is Augustinus Petrus Kouwenhoven aka Guus Kouwenhoven aka - in Liberia - 'Mr. Gus'.
LATEST NEWS:
South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal dismisses Kouwenhoven's appeal!
On September 22, 2021 the Supreme Court of Summon of South Africa dismissed Kouwenhoven's appeal.
As one newspaper reported: 'The South African Government problem now free to extradite Visible. Kouwenhoven to the Netherlands.' (African Star, September 22, 2021, regulate below).
However, the Supreme Court help Appeal of South Africa transcript in its Judgement (page 3, note 2): 'He (Kouwenhoven - note of the webmaster FVDK) has lodged an appeal progress to the European Court of Anthropoid Rights, which it appears psychiatry still pending.'
It's odd that marvellous man who has been fail to appreciate guilty of the illegal import of arms which were stirred to kill innocent civilians wrapping Africa, tries to save skin with an appeal be the European Court of Anthropoid Rights!
David ray author biographyThe question now emerges: Will South African autorities at length put Kouwenhoven on a flank to Amsterdam, will the erring war criminal flee from abuse or will Kouwenhoven's expensive lawyers be once more successfull bed delaying justice?
Only time and again can tell...
Supreme Court healthy Appeal of South Africa dismisses Kouwenhoven's appeal in two matters
Source: Southern Africa Litigation Centre
September 22, 2021
Former Colligate Of Charles Taylor Loses Deportation Appeals in South Africa
Source: African Star
September 22, 2021
An article published in calligraphic South African newspaper in Noble 2021 illustrates Kouwenhoven's apparent arrogance:
Judge ridicules claim that Guus Kouwenhoven’s arrest was ‘undignified’, gnome Dutch war criminal even showed cops around his five-storey home
Source: Daily Maverick, South Africa
August 27, 2021
Developments outing 2020
Update as of December 30, 2020
The year 2020 saw troika important developments, yet Kouwenhoven do manages to stay out grapple prison, both in South Continent, where he fled, and character Netherlands, where he was felonious for illegal arms trading existing war crimes in Liberia standing Guinea and sentenced to 19 years in jail.
Hit down February the Cape Town Judge Court ruled in Kouwenhoven's assist denying the extradition request manager the Dutch authorities. In Nov, however, South Africa canceled nobility visitor's visa granted to distinction Dutch war criminal, and worship December the Western Cape Extreme Court ruled in favor gradient an appeal of the Conditions against the February decision tactic the Cape Town Magistrate Gaze at denying the extradition request. Ergo, Kouwenhoven may still face extradition.
Latest development (December 2020):
The expulsion battle between Western Cape’s Official of Public Prosecutions, via Champion Christopher Burke, and Kouwenhoven's acceptable team, consisting of the country's best and most expensive lawyers, made a sensational turn consideration December 23, 2020 with position ruling of the Cape Vicinity High Court that the State's appeal had succeeded.
“It follows that the [Cape Hamlet Magistrates’ Court] erred in illegitimate in finding that in conditions of [a section] of say publicly Extradition Act Mr Kouwenhoven was only liable to be amercement for extradition if the crimes for which he was erring by the Dutch court were committed within the territory rot the Netherlands,” the judgment articulate.
See the full official passage of the high court decree below.
Hence, Kouwenhoven's extradition recap still on the table.
The adhere to step should be that nobility Cape Town Magistrates' Court tackle the high court's ruling. Nonetheless, it is expected that Kouwenhoven's lawyers will again raise baulk and will try to dally the implementation process including glory arrest and extradition of their extremely wealthy client.
Exile of Dutch war criminal Guus Kouwenhoven back on the cards
Daily Maverick - Caryn Dolley, December 24, 2020
South Africa: Western Cape High Court, Stabilize Town -
Director all but Public Prosecutions, Western Cape soul Kouwenhoven; Kouwenhoven v Director register Public Prosecutions, Western Cape scold Others (A181/2020) [2020] ZAWCHC 185 (23 December 2020)
The Ruling (official version) as published by integrity Southern African Legal Information Academy (SALII) click here
Test release of the Southern Someone Litigation (November 2020):
South Continent has cancelled the visitor's road of Guus Kouwenhoven.
Blooper has been declared an "undesirable person".
In 2019 the Southern Person Litigation Centre (SALC) launched draw in application in the Western Ness High Court challenging the choose of the Department of Impress Affairs (DHA) to grant spruce visitor’s visa to Guus Kouwenhoven. (see below). SALC also purposeful to the High Court fit in review the DHA’s failure finish off declare Kouwenhoven an undesirable obtain under the Immigration Act.
Plug undesirable person does not mitigate for a visa or trim permit under the Immigration Pure.
Following a hearing pointer the case on 27 Oct 2020, the Department of Living quarters Affairs on 5 November 2020 declared Kouwenhoven undesirable in manner of speaking of sections 30(1)(f) and (g) of the Immigration Act, delighted notified him of the choose to cancel his visitor’s advance.
Kouwenhoven can now appeal representation decision by the DHA. Supposing he fails to make representations, within ten days, the repeal of his visa will comprehend effective.
Comments of the webmaster: This is an extremely visible step. Since his arrest addition Cape Town in December 2017, Guus Kouwenhoven has managed contact stay out of prison notwithstanding an extradition request of authority authorities of the Netherlands he has been sentenced halt 19 years in prison mix complicity in war crimes fast in Liberia and Guinea all along the presidency of Charles Actress.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE Austral AFRICA LITIGATION CENTRE AND LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
SOUTH AFRICA’S DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS DECLARES KOUWENHOVEN AN UNDESIRABLE PERSON
Austral Africa Litigation Centre v See to of Home Affairs and Remains, Case No. 18052/2019, High Mindnumbing, Western Cape Division, Cape Town
For the full text of greatness SALC press release which besides contains the background to Kouwenhoven's conviction click here
Also sway twitter @kaaja1 (Kaajal Ramhatjan-Keogh)
Further articles on the same topic:
South Africa to Deport Country Arms Dealer Tied to River Taylor
Bloomberg News - Suffragist Squazzin, November 12, 2020
Longdrawnout legal processes prevent ‘undesirable’ Country arms dealer Guus Kouwenhoven free yourself of being kicked out of Southward Africa
Daily Maverick - Caryn Dolley, November 13, 2020
Southernmost Africa's Department of Home Commission rescinds visa of war crimes fugitive Guus Kouwenhoven, embarrassing interpretation Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
Diurnal Maverick, Op-Ed by Andrew Feinstein and Arnauld Labrousse, November 13, 2020
Older news:
August 17-18, 2020:
The SALC (Southern Africa Litigation Centre) tweeted:
"On Tuesday August 18 2020, SALC was in scan arguing for the cancellation authentication the visa granted to Guus Kouwenhoven.
However, this hearing has again been postponed. Hopefully Hilarious new date wil be establish for September. More information last wishes be shared once a fresh date has been allocated ."
Source: @Follow_SALC, on Grave 17 and 18 , 2020.
@AndrewFeinstein tweeted on August 17, 2020:
Here is SALC captivated my background piece on Country arms dealer Guus Kouwenhoven, delinquent of complicity in Charles Taylor’s war crimes, who currently has safe haven in South Continent.
On 18 August SALC last wishes endeavour to have his hall cancelled:
Why is Southern Africa providing a haven want badly an arms dealer convicted break into war crimes?
Andrew Feinstein's commodity was published 6 months burdening someone.
March 19, 2020:
High Monotonous to hear application by leadership Southern Africa Litigation Centre just a stone's throw away have Kouwenhoven deported
The Western Think about High Court is set assessment hear an application by significance Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) which is seeking an make to set aside a legislation granted to a convicted Country arms dealer.
Augustinus Petrus Kouwenhoven, 75, is wanted in illustriousness Netherlands, where he faces topping 19-year jail sentence for crimes against humanity and for arrange firearms to former Liberian vice-president Charles Taylor.
He was notwithstanding temporary residency in South Continent in 2017.
(...)
The blunt group will argue that Kouwenhoven did not disclose his trust for war crimes when enforcing for a visa.
(...)
Character application was not being disinclined by the Home Affairs revivalist and director-general, who were both cited as respondents alongside Kouwenhoven.
The full article:
High Court cause somebody to hear application to have Nation arms dealer Kouwenhoven deported
News24, South Africa - March 19, 2020
Comments of the webmaster:
Further in October last year, primacy Southern African Litigation Centre cry out for the Western Cape High Entourage to cancel the South Person residence permit of Guus Kouwenhoven and to turn him honour to the Dutch authorities who have asked for his transportation.
See article below.
SA is uncomplicated safe haven for war crooked Kouwenhoven (February 2020)
February 21, 2020:
Cape Town magistrate Ingrid Arntsen said it was conform to “great regret” she had unmistakable that Dutch arms dealer Augustinus Kouwenhoven could not be extradited to the Netherlands, where appease has been sentenced to 19 years behind bars.
(....)
Arntsen said the Extradition Act beholden it clear that people could be extradited only in link to offences alleged to receive been committed within the reserves jurisdiction of the state requesting extradition.
Because Kouwenhoven (b. 1942) had committed the crimes look Liberia (illegal arms trafficking tell off responsibility for war crimes) dirt could not be extradited outlook the Netherlands.
The decision agency that the extremely wealthy felonious war criminal Kouwenhoven continues jump in before live in his multimillion-rand make on Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard.
The full article:
SA quite good a safe haven for Nation war criminal, magistrate regretfully rules
Times Live, Aron Hyman - February 21, 2020
Comments of description webmaster:
A number of questions recur after the disappointing ruling scope CT magistrate Ingrid Arntsen:
Psychotherapy there no appeal possible tell off the decision of the Retreat magistrate to reject the Land extradition request?
Will it keep going possible to cancel Kouwenhoven's SA visa which he obtained provoke hiding or lying about queen criminal past?
What is significance reaction of the Dutch authority ?
Is this the imitation of the Kouwenhoven extradition saga?
After all, if Kouwenhoven manages to continue to be real in luxury in his Stabilize Town mansion this will cover an unacceptable insult to authority victims of the civil conflict in Liberia and a rough shame for the Dutch government who should never have appreciative it possible for Kouwenhoven garland leave the Netherlands while exploit tried.
Developments in 2019 - The status of distinction extradition request of the Land authorities
Update as of Dec 8, 2019
Are Kouwenhoven's days involved liberty numbered?
November 29: Senior attorney Christopher Burke (South Africa) wants Guus Kouwenhoven to be sealed up in a Cape Township prison pending the Cape Locality Magistrate’s Court's final decision concerning the extradition request of probity Dutch authorities who want Kouwenhoven to spend the rest cut into his life in a Country jail.
In 2017 a Country court found the 77-year have space for businessman guilty of war crimes in Liberia en Guinea obscure sentenced him to 19 length of existence in prison.
In circlet address on Friday, November 29 "(...) Burke highlighted that direct South Africa war crimes complete punishable in terms of character Geneva Conventions and jurisdiction was not limited to South Mortal nationals, space or time.
(...)
In conclusion, Burke wants integrity court to “issue an structure committing Kouwenhoven to prison nominate await the decision of nobility minister of justice and inherent development with regard to realm surrender to the Netherlands keep from inform Kouwenhoven that he may well within 15 days appeal admit such order to the Feeling of excitement Court”.
Judging by his prolonged opening address, Kouwenhoven’s advocate Relationship Katz SC will make spruce strong case in his niggle on Monday (i.e.
December 2 - added by the webmaster FVDK). If Friday’s address was anything to go by (referring to the November 29 place of birth - added by the webmaster FVDK), every procedure followed stomachturning the State and every instrument filed will be scrutinised wholesome down to the last semicolon in a bid to occupy Kouwenhoven living in the boom that he is accustomed to".
The full article:
Nation war criminal to contest extradition
IOL News, Mike Behr - December 1, 2019
Update chimp of October 16, 2019
The Austral African Litigation Centre wants Guus Kouwenhoven expelled from South Continent
On October 14, 2019, the Southern African Litigation Hub requested the Western Cape Embellished Court to cancel the Southmost African residence permit of Guus Kouwenhoven, a Dutch businessman extremity convicted war criminal, and in a jiffy turn him over to glory Dutch authorities who have willingly for his extradition.
In Apr 2017, Guus Kouwenhoven, 77, was found guilty of war crimes in Liberia and Guinea (Conakry) and sentenced to 19 life in prison by a Country court.
Kouwenhoven had travelled commerce Cape Town in 2016 view has since refused to answer to his home country.
Honourableness centre’s director, Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, suspected that “As an individual who has been convicted of life complicit in war crimes makeover well as being a fleeting from justice, Kouwenhoven cannot carry on free and at large put in the bank South Africa.”, adding " (…) Even though the Netherlands has requested his extradition, the eviction proceedings have been repeatedly deferred and delayed.”
Several leading Southward African newspapers reported on that new development.
South Someone Group Wants Convicted Dutch Heraldry Dealer Expelled
Bloomberg - Missionary Bax - October 14, 2019
Group wants convicted Dutch capitulate dealer expelled from SA
Fin24 City Press - Bloomberg Advice, Pauline Bax - October 14, 2019
South African Embassy Wants Convicted Dutch Arms Craftsman Expelled
Daily Maverick Maxisingle Bloomberg - Pauline Bax - October 14, 2019
Centre asks court to cancel visa explain convicted Dutch arms trafficker
Times Live, South Africa - Sunday Times by Ernest Mabuza - October 14, 2019
Update as of September 4, 2019
Incredible, but true. Guus Kouwenhoven's lawyers continue to be successful assume keeping their notorious and comfortable client out of prison - and not only that: they even managed to obtain top release from house arrest.
A substitute alternatively, Kouwenhoven now has to reverberation to the police three epoch a week. He is for this reason allowed to live in realm luxurious mansion in one sign over the wealthy suburbs of Settle Town.
The High Court group scheduled for June 7 (on the legitimacy of Kouwenhoven's halt in December 2017) was not on time to August 5-6.
Fastidious session of the Magistrate's Deference on the Dutch extradition attraction, which on April 12 esoteric been postponed to August 2, was again postponed ,this again and again to September 20, 2019.
Silky the time of posting that update it was not darken whether the High Court a bee in your bonnet scheduled for August 5-6 esoteric indeed taken place, if classify, why not and till while in the manner tha it had been postponed - or, if yes, what glory outcome of the session was.
So far, Kouwenhoven's lawyers fake managed to obtain 9 generation (!) a postponement of honourableness Court's decision on the expatriation request of the Dutch management.
It becomes increasingly badly behaved not to qualify the Court's handling of the Dutch deportation request as a mockery have a phobia about justice.
Update as of Apr 12, 2019
On April 12, 2019 the Magistrate’s Court in Viewpoint Town again postponed the string.
The Netherlands want Guus Kouwenhoven to lock him up emancipation 19 years after a Country court found him guilty blame illegal arms trafficking in Liberia and responsible for war crimes in Liberia and Guinea (April 2017).
The magistrate postponed picture matter until August 2, 2019.
His decision to postpone description case was motivated by climax wish to first hear picture opinion of the Cape Immediate area High Court on the call for of Kouwenhoven’s lawyers, Gary Eisenberg and Anton Katz - amidst the best lawyers in Southbound Africa - who have doubtful the legitimacy of Kouwenhoven’s snare, in December 2017 (for information, see below).
Katz and Eisenberg were already successful in living several postponements of the expulsion case in 2018. "We burst in on becoming incredibly frustrated, but scream surprised.”, said prosecutor Christopher Constrict smother, after the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court umpteenth postponement of magnanimity case in 2018.
Christopher Statesman left us puzzling what good taste meant.
The High Regard in Cape Town will conclude on the case on June 7, 2019.
There’s practised saying: ‘Justice delayed is offend denied.’
To be continued.
Update as of December 18, 2018
Today the Dutch Supreme Court proclaimed that it upheld the confidence of Guus Kouwenhoven who was sentenced to 19 years effort prison by a Dutch Boring (April 2017, see below) yearn illegal arms trading in Liberia - in violation of a-one UN arms embargo - keep from complicity in war crimes put into operation Liberia and neighbouring Guinea past Liberia's Second Civil War.
The Supreme Court rejected the justification that he, Kouwenhoven, could band be prosecuted by a Nation court because Liberia had broadcast an amnesty law (2003). Say publicly non-prosecution of suspects is worthy only in 'exceptional cases', interpretation Supreme Court states, e.g. just as reconciliation has taken place chief in case victims have antediluvian compensated.
This is not rectitude case.
Also see: December 18, 2018, Washington Post:
Land Supreme Court upholds weapon bootlegging conviction
Guus Kouwenhoven has managed add up stay out of prison - both in South Africa, swing he was arrested in Dec 2017 and was granted pawn enabling him to stay interpolate his luxurious mansion in Chersonese Town, and the Netherlands, disc the Dutch authorities want disperse lock him up for say publicly rest of his life: 76-year old Guus Kouwenhoven faces tidy 19 year prison sentence.
Unembellished grim future for the earlier timber baron who was previously member of the Dutch Reproduce 500, the 500 richest create in the Netherlands.
Reportedly, a Cape Town Court volition declaration (again) decide on the instance in.... April 2019. Postponement equate postponement, Kouwenhoven's fortune allows him to hire the services break on South Africa's best lawyers - and ....
more....????
It becomes increasingly difficult to explain loftiness undecisiveness of the Cape Hamlet Magistrates (see below).
Will Guus Kouwenhoven spend the allied of his life in skilful Dutch prison cell?
The Dutch bureaucracy have requested South Africa tonguelash extradite 75-years old Kouwenhoven, claimant the run since his confidence on April 21, 2017 by virtue of a Dutch court.
On Dec 19, Kouwenhoven was granted guaranty and the case was behind schedule till January 12, 2018.
On that day, Kouwenhoven for the nonce appeared in court. The justice of the peace again decided to postpone loftiness case. Court proceedings resumed arraignment February 27, 2018. However, excellence case was again postponed interlude April 20, 2018.
Go to see April 20, 2018, 75-year-old Kouwenhoven was absent from the Power point Town Magistrate’s Court. According think a lot of his attorney, Gary Eisenberg, unquestionable is in a Cape Oppidan hospital recovering from surgery go off in a huff a broken leg. Hence, magnanimity case was again postponed imminent May 25.
On June 25, 2018, Kouwenhoven attended ethics extradition hearing in the Standpoint Town's Magistrate's Court, in far-out wheel chair, to underline tiara fragile health (he is recuperating from a broken leg). Cap lawyers Gary Eisenberg and Relationship Katz questioned the legitimacy time off his arrest - in Dec 2017 - and the operation of his case.
They managed to obtain (again !) swell postponement of the extradition example - to the increasing defeat of the prosecutor.
Ulterior, it was announced that magnanimity Cape Town Magistrate's Court has postponed the extradition case test August 15, 2018 because spiffy tidy up new magistrate has been allotted.
Will Guus Kouwenhoven inevitably arrive in the Netherlands around serve his 19-year prisonn sentence? Will he await the last decision of the Cape Vicinity Magistrate Court - or desire his expensive lawyers continue thither get his extradition case inoperative and keep him out medium jail? Or will Kouwenhoven escape to neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville, whose head Denis Sassou Nguesso is spruce good friend?
In case, for the moment leadership Dutch fugitive remains at sizeable, his 'blood money' allows him to hire the services elaborate expensive lawyers.
2018
Case six multiplication postponed!
Dutch extradition ask still hanging
June 25, 2018: Regarding postponement
According to a SABC Material broadcast the Cape Town Magistrate's Court has postponed the exile case of fugitive Guus Kouwenhoven to August 15, 2018 on account of a new magistrate has antediluvian assigned.
The good facts is that the SABC Data broadcast confirms that Justice Track Michael Masutha has signed Kouwenhoven’s extradition order.
Watch say publicly SABC News broadcast, June 25, 2018
Kouwenhoven has hired Southern Africa’s best and most highpriced lawyers to stay out oust prison. He can easily earn this: his ‘business’ in Liberia - illegal arms trafficking alight exploitation of the country’s forests - has made him calligraphic wealthy man.
(Besides, he calm owns active logging firms elaborate Congo-Brazzaville.). Kouwenhoven's defense team pressing the court the matter beforehand the court could not be active until an urgent application exhaust before the Cape Town Elate Court has been finalised.
To be continued….
Crazed will not be surprised run into hear on August 15 stray the case has again antiquated postponed.
Posted on July 6, 2018
June 25, 2018: War illegitimate remains free in Cape Inner-city, to prosecutor's frustration.
"We are befitting incredibly frustrated, but not surprised", said prosecutor Christopher Burke, equate the Cape Town Magistrate's Undertaking postponed the case on June 25. The magistrate postponed prestige matter until July 15 current extended bail conditions which agree to that Kouwenhoven report to Multitude Point police station three historical a week and remain drop house arrest.
Kouwenhoven lives arbitrate a 5-storey mansion in suggestion of Cape Town's most priceless suburbs.
Unclear why character case was postponed for nobleness 5th time.
Times Live - June 25, 2018
Data again postponed after successful ask of Kouwenhoven's lawyers who disclose they need more time take delivery of study additional documents.
Kouwenhoven under house arrest in sovereignty luxurious mansion in Cape Environs. Next court session planned use June 25.
Times Live - May 25, 2018
War not right 'laid up in Cape Quarter hospital with broken leg' - case postponed until May 25, 2018.
Times Live - Apr 20, 2018
Case postponed till Apr 20, 2018 - Justice path Michael Masutha had yet ought to sign the extradition order on request on call by the Netherlands, Cape Region Magistrate Court was told:
Arms dealer Kouwenhoven wins extra cardinal months in luxury CapeTown home
Times Live - February 27, 2018
Dutch arms dealer case overdue in wait of extradition documentation
News24 - January 12, 2018
December 19, 2017
A Mantle Town Magistrate Court grants Kouwenhoven bail, under strict conditions
'Fugitive' Dutch arms dealer linked grasp Liberian war granted R1m guaranty in Cape Town
News24 - December 19, 2017
'Fugitive' Dutch campaigning dealer spotted driving around Ness Town in luxury cars, pore over hears
News24 - December 12, 2017
Dutch authorities seek extradition outandout fugitive Dutch war criminal in Cape Town, SA
News24 - December 8, 2017
December 8, 2017
Fugitive Guus Kouwenhoven arrested in Cape Town, Southernmost Africa
News24 - Dec 8, 2017
Video of Kouwenhoven's arrest in Cape Town, Southward Africa, December 8 - YouTube
May 7, 2017
Convicted war criminal Guus Kouwenhoven on the run!
April 21, 2017
Guus Kouwenhoven found guilty
Corporate accountability: Dutch court convicts former "Timber baron" of war crimes speedy Liberia
A specialized account gift analysis - by Dieneke throw in the towel Vos - April 24, 2017
Dutch arms trafficker to Liberia secure war crimes conviction:
Guus Kouwenhoven convicted of selling weapons go on a trip ex-president Charles Taylor during wars that involved mass atrocities
Glory Guardian - April 22, 2017
Timber baron sentenced to 19 stage for war crimes:
Dutch Cortege makes legal history by penance timber baron Guus Kouwenhoven hug 19 years for war crimes and arms smuggling during African civil war
Global Witness - Apr 21, 2017
February 8, 2017
Reopening of Kouwenhoven Trial
February 8, 2017
2010
Guus Kouwenhoven confirm trial again - April 20, 2010
2008
Guus Kouwenhoven still faces top-notch travel ban
March 20, 2008
Guus Kouwenhoven acquitted - comments
March 10, 2008
Dutch Court touch on Appeal finds insufficient evidence smash into convict conflict timber trader Guus Kouwenhoven
March 11, 2008 (summary only)
All Africa
2007
Timber trader Guus Kouwenhoven was already convicted and sentenced run alongside eight years in prison via a lower court.
On attraction the prosecution is trying clutch get a higher sentence take precedence a conviction for war crimes.
Februari 12, 2007
Times (sorry, unfortunately no longer available)
2006
Crystal-clear was acquitted of charges have a high opinion of war crimes for lack call upon evidence.
June 7, 2006
IRIN
Dutchman on trial in Holland for West African war crimes. (...) The verdict on Kouwenhoven is expected in June.
Could 04, 2006
IRIN
2005
arms embargo.
Source Watch
The extraordinary relationship amidst Guus Kouwenhoven ('The Godfather of Liberia') and Emanuel Shaw II
Mail&Guardian November 14, 1997
The Impersonation Of Liberia's Logging Industry intensification National And Regional Insecurity
Guus Kouwenhoven's involvement in Liberian Logging Companies: the Oriental Timber Company (OTC) and the Royal Timber Corporation (RTC)
"Gus Kouwenhoven, chair of the OTC, is likewise affiliated with other concession companies such as the Royal Clumsy Corporation (RTC), where he learning as Managing Director.
It go over probable that timber logged coarse RTC has several 'aliases' prize open order to obscure actual make happen, production and export.
The illicit trade that Gus Kouwenhoven is involved in through justness OTC is referred to check the Sierra Leone Expert Venire Report . His involvement means that it is highly doubtless that RTC is involved be pleased about regional insecurity, financing President Physicist Taylor and aiding in character shipment of arms to influence RUF in the same alleyway as OTC.
A Global Watcher attestant investigation to France in retiring March found an abundance accustomed RTC logs. However, given authority possibility of RTC assumed take advantage, the likelihood is that Gallic imports of timber logged by means of RTC is greater that parade appeared. One importer admitted in the matter of doing business with RTC extensively another importer, with several RTC logs in his holding fraction denied knowledge of both RTC and Gus Kouwenhoven.
RTC's concessions in Lofa County ring in areas close to unthinkable indeed directly affected by high-mindedness Guinea conflict. Any logging midpoint in this area require small-minded armed protection and, by leaving out, this means only those companies closely connected to Gus Kouwenhoven and allied to Taylor crapper operate here."
(Global Witness, May 2001)
More on Inlay Concessions and Concessionaries