Final twist in the trial of Charles Taylor, former Liberian president accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sierra Leone between 1991 and 2001. In particular, he is accused of having financed the Sierra Leonean rebel Revolutionary United Front in exchange for diamonds to destabilize the neighboring territory.
His lawyer, Courtenay Griffiths, has left the room in protest at the refusal of the Special Court for Sierra Leone to accept the letter with its final conclusions. Griffiths has complained of "lack of time, only eight hours," to close the defense. Judges have rejected the statement pointed out that it did not comply with procedural deadlines.
He sent later, although he knew the dates. Although it may incur in contempt, counsel is gone. In the corridors, Griffiths has warned that the Tribunal for Sierra Leone "compromises their credibility by refusing to accept 90% of my client's arguments." Meanwhile, inside the room, Brenda Hollis, the chief prosecutor, took the floor.
First, he criticized the former African leader (the first outside power to be tried by international justice) for submissions to the last minute. "This is not a social event," he said. Then he accused of having "wanted to control the territory of Sierra Leone, natural resources, especially diamonds, and its population." "Witnesses have pointed out heinous crimes.
They would not have been suffered by the population, Taylor had not been the supervisor of the RUF. "Civil war in Sierra Leone there were 50,000 dead. Some 100,000 people were injured or lost family and homes. Just the traffic of diamonds blood has added advertising to the process. The shadow of the jewels in the rough on the testimony as planned burial of children alive in front of their mothers, and mutilation, a machete, nearly a generation of young Africans.
Or looting, violations and systematic use of child soldiers and sex slaves of all ages. In August, the path of these diamonds took a turn. A host of The Hague Tribunal came Naomi Campbell, British model, and American actress Mia Farrow. The first acknowledged having received "a few small stones and dirt." But would not confirm they were a gift from Charles Taylor.
Farrow, however, said Campbell told him "they were from Taylor." After the almost surreal moment of glamor, the process continued. Until now. After listening to hundreds of witnesses, all be completed on Friday. The decision is expected by mid-2011. If convicted, Taylor will meet punishment in the United Kingdom. 
His lawyer, Courtenay Griffiths, has left the room in protest at the refusal of the Special Court for Sierra Leone to accept the letter with its final conclusions. Griffiths has complained of "lack of time, only eight hours," to close the defense. Judges have rejected the statement pointed out that it did not comply with procedural deadlines.
He sent later, although he knew the dates. Although it may incur in contempt, counsel is gone. In the corridors, Griffiths has warned that the Tribunal for Sierra Leone "compromises their credibility by refusing to accept 90% of my client's arguments." Meanwhile, inside the room, Brenda Hollis, the chief prosecutor, took the floor.
First, he criticized the former African leader (the first outside power to be tried by international justice) for submissions to the last minute. "This is not a social event," he said. Then he accused of having "wanted to control the territory of Sierra Leone, natural resources, especially diamonds, and its population." "Witnesses have pointed out heinous crimes.
They would not have been suffered by the population, Taylor had not been the supervisor of the RUF. "Civil war in Sierra Leone there were 50,000 dead. Some 100,000 people were injured or lost family and homes. Just the traffic of diamonds blood has added advertising to the process. The shadow of the jewels in the rough on the testimony as planned burial of children alive in front of their mothers, and mutilation, a machete, nearly a generation of young Africans.
Or looting, violations and systematic use of child soldiers and sex slaves of all ages. In August, the path of these diamonds took a turn. A host of The Hague Tribunal came Naomi Campbell, British model, and American actress Mia Farrow. The first acknowledged having received "a few small stones and dirt." But would not confirm they were a gift from Charles Taylor.
Farrow, however, said Campbell told him "they were from Taylor." After the almost surreal moment of glamor, the process continued. Until now. After listening to hundreds of witnesses, all be completed on Friday. The decision is expected by mid-2011. If convicted, Taylor will meet punishment in the United Kingdom.
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