Lead prosecutor and American lawyer Brenda Hollis Thursday bombarded former president Charles Taylor with series of unstoppable questions regarding alleged atrocities of one of his Generals - General Coocoo Dennis.
The prosecutor, in a fiery processions, put it to Mr. Taylor that Gen. Dennis was responsible for arranging mercenary transport to Lofa County and that he commanded troops in Cote d'Ivoire.
Mr. Dennis, who was recently honored, amongst others by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as a veteran, was one of President Taylor's Generals. On Thursday, before the court, this is how Taylor responded to Hollis's questions:
Prosecutor Hollis: If we go back to Coocoo Dennis, isn't it true in 2000 he led units of the SMI militia to fight alongside your forces in Lofa County? Isn't that true?
Defendant Taylor: That's not to my knowledge. Coocoo Dennis may have participated in other wars by 2000.
Prosecutor Hollis: And these forces were believed to be responsible for serious violation of
human rights at that time, were they not?
Defendant Taylor: Not to my knowledge....
Prosecutor Hollis: Coco Dennis was responsible for arranging accommodation for Burkinabe mercenaries who were en-route to Liberia from Cote'd'Ivoire, isn't that correct?
Defendant Taylor: That's totally incorrect...
Prosecutor Hollis: Coocoo Dennis, later, also commanded two Western Ivorian rebel groups, did he not... Popular Movement for the Ivorian Great West and Movement of Justice for peace...?
Defendant Taylor: What..what..Again what are you taking about? You talking about after I become president because the Ivorian problem is after I become President...
Prosecutor Hollis: This was in 2002...
Defendant Taylor: I am not aware of Coocoo Dennis commanding any er....
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