27 June 2009
Lagos — The trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor will resume on July 13 at the International Criminal Court ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands.
In a statement, UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone said, "The lawyers for the former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, will begin their defense against charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity on July 13."
It said Taylor's lawyers would make their opening arguments on that day at The Hague, where the court is based.
The statement, however, said the trial's preparatory hearing was slated for July 6 at The Hague.
It would be recalled that in 2006, the UN Security Council authorised the trial to be held in The Hague, Netherlands, instead of its usual venue of Freetown, citing security reasons. The prosecution had in February rested its case against Taylor after presenting 91 witnesses to testify.
The former president has pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which include pillage, slavery, forced marriage, collective punishment, and the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
The charges relate to his alleged support for two rebel groups in neighbouring Sierra Leone, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and the Revolutionary United Front, during that country's civil war from 1996 to 2002.
The UN Special Court for Sierra Leone was established in January 2002 through an agreement between Sierra Leone's government and the UN.The court cannot impose a life sentence, but it has already sentenced two defendants in another case to 50 years in jail.
UK had offered to imprison Taylor, if he is found guilty.
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Mr.Taylor is on trial for his crimes in Sierra Leone. The international criminal court of justices are the one responsible for this trial. For Prince Y. Johnson,the liberian's government has not brought charges against him. Prince Johnson and the rest of the others warlords are responsible for the destructions of the country. These moran killed thousands upon thousands and have destroyed the future of many liberians. After he murdered his own people, he called himself a representative for Nimba County. These guys will be brought to justice for their crimes against the liberian people. We will demand justice one day,… [Read Full Text]
Taking Taylor and other warlords to court because of the war in Liberia - wouldn't be as easy as you may see it...
Remember these points: 1. Taylor was in jail in the USA (according to what heard when I was growing up in Liberia) who freed him?? 2. Taylor and Prince Johnson - and those who supported the war in Liberia had a common goal until Taylor decleared himself as incoming president of Liberia. It was from this point that Prince Johnson and Taylor divided forces. 3. Where did Prince Johnson get financial support?? 4. When the… [Read Full Text]
I agreed with what the last writter said. Prince Y. Johnson is a great murderer and shouldn't be allow to walk in the mist of the Liberian population like a free man. To the United Nations, Could you please stop talking about Charles taylor and get Prince Jihnson arrested as well. He too need to get investigated and put behind bars.
Will Charles Taylor and Prince Johnson be put on trial for crimes the commited in Liberia? Both these men are responsible for the destruction of Liberia and the lives of its people. Prince Johnson walks the streets of Liberia as if he is a normal citizen. He is a mass murderer who should be put to death along with Charles Taylor. Why the UN trial can not give a life sentence is insane. These men along with their followers kill or disfigured thousands of people.