Didier Bourguet, a mechanic who worked for the United Nations from 1994, faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years if he is found guilty of a series of sexual offense and pornography charges ranging from rape to corruption of minors.

At the beginning of the hearing in Paris, at which one of his alleged victims was present, Bourguet acknowledged that he had had sex with the girls but he said they had consented.

“I admit the sexual relations and the pornography, but I deny rape,” he told the court.

A judgment is expected on Thursday.

His lawyer told reporters that Bourguet, who worked in the Central African Republic between 1998-2001 and the Democratic Republic of Congo between 2001-04, would argue that he had no way of knowing the girls were under aged.

A police investigation uncovered pedophile pornography and a series of images and videos stored on Bourguet’s personal computer showing him with very young girls, the court heard.

He told police he had met the girls through paid intermediaries and gave them between $10-20.

The United Nations’ own internal inspection services said in a 2004 report that they were looking at 72 cases of suspected rape and sexual offenses committed by civilian employees and military personnel during the U.N. mission to Congo.

http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN957748.html

“Simon, if you had gone back to building houses, you’d be a millionaire. Why didn’t you?”

“You’re a religious man,” replied Wiesenthal. “You believe in God and life after death. I also believe. When we come to the other world and meet the millions of Jews who died in the camps and they ask us, ‘What have you done?’, there will be many answers. You will say, ‘I became a jeweler’, Another will say, I have smuggled coffee and American cigarettes’, Another will say, ‘I built houses’, But I will say, ‘I didn’t forget you.’”

We are kind of celebrating a small step here. We have placed our first WANTED page. Lots of details are missing. And he is hiding within a system that wants to protect him. I’m sure Didier Bourguet, and the hundred of others like him are not overly concerned with our web site. But they should be…

There are thousand of victims, many still mere children, and their families who have suffered unspeakable atrocities at the hands of these perpetrators. They have been scarred for life.

But many of these victims have had their stories documented. Sometimes by the perpetrators themselves. But also by the countless aid workers, and peacekeepers, who because of their love for humanity, have sacrificed to make this world a better place.

We are building a data base that will bring these stories together. Relying on that same conscientiousness, that caused people to leave normal lives, and give of themselves. That victims will become survivors, and begin to share their stories. Maybe even some of the perpetrators may wish to appease their conscience.

From whatever source, like pieces of a puzzle. The fragments will join together and provide the evidence needed to be able to pursue the individuals who have preyed on the weak and helpless.

To Didier Bourguet, and others like him. Welcome to UN Terroritory