After over 10 years, the investigation phase of the case against Martina Johnson is closed and she’s awaiting ruling from appeal chambers to lean if war crimes charges will be put to trial.
Following a closed hearing held on 30th September 2025, the judge of the “Chambre du conseil” in the Ghent Court of First Instance issued a decision formally closing the investigation into Martina Johnson.
Martina Johnson, who has been resident in Belgium since 2003, was allegedly a former commander of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) during the first Liberian civil war (1989-1996).
Arrested in Belgium in September 2014 on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity, Martina Johnson is accused by Belgian prosecutors of participating directly in mutilation and mass killings in late 1992 during “Operation Octopus”, an infamous military offensive waged on Liberia’s capital during first civil war.
As part of the operation, a heavy artillery unit, which she commanded shelled residential areas throughout the four-month offensive, and allegations of torture were made that stood out even in a war characterized by mutilations and mass rapes.
The purpose of the hearing of 30th September was to determine whether the investigation by the Belgian judicial authorities, which has been ongoing since 2012, yielded sufficient evidence to refer the case to trial.
The “Chambre du conseil” answered positively.
Following Tuesday’s decision, the parties now await a hearing before the judges of the “Chambre des mises en accusation” (part of the Appeal court) and a decision on whether to send the case to trial.
Civitas Maxima and the Global Justice and Research Project have collaborated with victim representative Luc Walleyn on this case.
