CharlesTaylorTrial.org (The Hague)
Alpha Sesay
10 March 2010
Foreign countries interfered in Charles Taylor's revolution in Liberia and prevented the former president from liberating his people, a witness in Mr. Taylor's defense told Special Court for Sierra Leone judges today.
"The Liberian revolution failed because foreign hands interfered in the Liberian revolution to disturb the revolution and prevent His Excellency President Taylor from liberating the country," witness DCT 125, who finished his direct-examination today, told the court.
The witness, who has been testifying with protective measures, has given most of his testimony in closed/private sessions and on occasions when his testimony has been heard in open court, he has testified using voice and facial distortion mechanisms. When court resumed this morning, the witness was absent. Mr. Taylor's lead defense counsel, Courtenay Griffiths, informed the judges that the witness was ill and so could not appear in court. After being given medical treatment by a doctor who said he was fit and able to continue testifying, the judges ordered that the witness be brought to court and take the witness stand.
As he concluded his testimony today, the witness told the judges that Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) peacekeeping force was not neutral in the Liberian conflict. He said that the peacekeepers were more sympathetic towards the other Liberian warring factions at the expense of Mr. Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) rebel group.
During cross-examination by prosecutor Nicholas Koumjian, the witness told the court that the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), the Sierra Leonean rebel group which Mr. Taylor is accused of providing support for, is not a terrorist organization as alleged by prosecutors. Presiding Judge of the Trial Chamber, Justice Julia Sebutinde, asked the witness to give his definition of terrorist organization.
"It is an organization that is bent on the destruction of life and property without any meaning and purpose, to disturb the peace within the human being," the witness said.
Mr. Taylor is charged with 11 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international humanitarian law including crimes of rape, terrorizing the civilian population, murder, conscription and use of child soldiers, looting and pillage of civilian property committed in the territory of Sierra Leone from 1996 to 2002. Prosecutors have alleged that while Mr. Taylor was not present in Sierra Leone, he exercised superior authority over RUF rebels and provided military and financial support to the rebels during Sierra Leone's 11 years conflict. Three RUF commanders have already been found guilty and convicted by Special Court for Sierra Leone judges for similar crimes with which Mr. Taylor is charged.
Before the end of today's proceedings, Mr. Koumjian requested that the cross-examination of the witness be suspended and that prosecutors be given more time to prepare for the cross-examination of the witness. Mr. Koumjian explained that defense lawyers for Mr. Taylor had failed to disclose the witness's personal information to prosecutors within the 21 day period required. The prosecution request was granted and so the witness's cross-examination was suspended.
A new defense witness will commence his or her testimony tomorrow.
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I believe that mr. Taylor is in the Hague and being tried for crimes committed in the Republic of Sierra LEONE, Why is it that he is being interrogated about things He is alledged to have done in Liberia?
This is called Cross-Examination.
Charles Taylor negates,that he armed the rebells in Seora Leone.
1.So...Why the Ministry of Marine affairs transfered US$ 150 000 to a bank in Dubai with the remark"sanction busting"?
Of course,the SANCTION to BUST was UN sanction resolution 2342(nout sure about the number)!
The sanction,which was mentioned was the ARM EMBARGO,imposed on Liberia during the Civil war.
2.Why Oriental Timber Corporation transfers taxes of US$ 500K to a bank in Switzerland,instead paying these taxes to Ministry of Finance of Liberia?
Charles Taylor does not talk,but soon the banks will talk.
The bank in Dubai will revel for what purpose $150 K were used,because it is UNBELIEVABLE,that someone withdrew such a large sum of money in CASH to pay for arms?
Such scenarios exist ONLY in the criminal movies.Usually payments are done through the bank,so that the buyer could prove paying the sales price.
The Swiss bank will also talk under the presure of EU.
Rosie, where did you get these large figures from? If they are justifiable, I hope these banks can talk as soon as possible becaus I am very tired hearing about this case. It is causing too much money and time. These monies should be used to help the poor people that lives were destabilize in Liberia nad Sierra Leone instead of the court lavishing it.
I read about Charles Taylor case in the LIBERIAN press.
The Germans do not want to know about a man,who behaved like Hitler.
They had had ALREADY one Hitler...they do not want to hear about another!
Mr.Kodmjian led the defense witness into a
trap.
By saying,that Taylor did not arrest and prosecute the RUF(revolutionary Union Front) rebels,he gave evidence,that Taylor did not keep the Treaty,which he signed with Sierra Leone's Government.
Taylor insists,that he DESIRED and aligned peace in Sierra Leone,but he did NOT arrest the revolutionaries ONCE they were on Liberian soil!
HOW ODD!
As i see it,the witness for Charles Taylor,pills like a banana...slowly but steadily the Prosecutor discredits him.
If the court in the Hague have not being able to convict Mr. Taylor for alleged crimes committed in Sierra Leone,He should be released and returned to LIBERIA immediately.
Taylor's trial on substantial laws STILL has not began!
Why are you talking that the ICC in Den Hague is NOT able to convict him?
WE say in Germany:"THE MÜHLEN DER JUSTIZ
MAHLEN LANGSAM ABER GERECHT!"
n English:"The mills of the Lady justice grind slowly,bur justly.!"
let the guy go simple and short we know what to do. with the recession and crisis every where around the world, why don't use the money for something else
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