Former Sierra Leone ruler flees

Koroma says he may give himself up to the UN

A former military ruler in Sierra Leone, Johnny Paul Koroma, has gone into hiding following a police raid on his house in the west of the capital Freetown.

A major search has been carried out along the Freetown peninsula, but there is no sign of him

UN security source

Speaking to the BBC from an undisclosed location, Mr Koroma - who led a junta which came to power briefly in 1997 - accused the Sierra Leonean Government of "trying to eliminate" him.

Eighteen people were arrested in Saturday's raid, which the authorities say was part of an investigation into an attack on an army barracks in Freetown.

Mr Koroma denied any involvement in the attack, but said he might give himself up to international peacekeeping troops.

He was elected to parliament last May after getting a large number of votes from the military.

'Witch hunt'

"Following his escape, a major search has been carried out along the Freetown peninsula, but there is no sign of him," said a security source with the UN peacekeeping force.

Sierra Leone police spokesman Brima Acha Kamara called on Mr Koroma " to give himself up, wherever he is".

Johnny Paul Koroma has strong support in the army

But the former leader insists he has done nothing wrong.

In an interview with the BBC on Sunday he accused the government of starting a witch hunt against him, and said he would only feel safe if UN peacekeepers or the British Government gave him protection.

He said the Sierra Leonean authorities saw him as a political threat and wanted to find a way to get rid of him.

Army attack

Mr Koroma's house was raided as part of an investigation into Monday's attack on a military barracks.

The UN helps maintain order in Sierra Leone

The involvement of army soldiers in the attack led to a rumour that a coup attempt had taken place, and that Mr Koroma was involved.

Although the rumour was later dismissed, Mr Koroma, a former army officer, does have strong ties with the military, the BBC's Tom McKinley reports.

Turbulent history

Mr Koroma ruled Sierra Leone during one of the bloodiest periods of the decade-long civil war.

He seized power from President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 1997, but was driven out again early in 1998.

A 10-year civil war ended last year, followed by elections, easily won by Mr Kabbah.

Mr Koroma is seen as a likely candidate to face a special UN-backed war crimes court relating to atrocities during the civil war.

If he is tried and found guilty, he could spend life in jail, our correspondent says.