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International timber company DLH accused of funding Liberian war [France]
Global Witness and Sherpa, along with Greenpeace France, Amis de la Terre, and a prominent Liberian activist, have lodged a complaint before the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Nantes against Dalhoff, Larsen and Horneman (DLH)…alleg[ing] that during the civil war in Liberia…DLH brought timber from Liberian companies that provided support to Charles Taylor's brutal regime…According to the claimants, by importing timber from forest concessions operated by…corrupt Liberian companies, the French arm of DLH is guilty of ‘recel' - the handling of and profiting from goods obtained illegally, punishable under French criminal law…The complaint will rely on strong evidence of its suppliers' involvement in corruption, tax evasion, environmental degradation, UN arms sanctions violations and gross human rights abuses…Revenue from forestry was a major source of funding for President Charles Taylor's illicit off-budget activities during the conflict.