Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Ex-Liberian Prez: War-Crimes Charges 'Lies'

Taylor calls himself 'lover of humanity'

Share

(Newser) – Former Liberian president Charles Taylor took the stand today in the Hague, calling war-crimes allegations against him “lies,” the BBC reports. “It is very, very, very unfortunate that the prosecution, because of disinformation, misinformation, lies, rumors would associate me with such titles or descriptions,” he said regarding accusations of terrorism, torture, murder, and rape.

Taylor is on trial over allegations he directed efforts to take control of Sierra Leone’s diamonds. Witnesses described amputations, child murder, and cannibalism, but Taylor cited a “love for humanity,” saying he’d “fought all my life to do what I thought was right in the interests of justice and fair play.” The defense plans to call more than 200 witnesses; a verdict is expected next year.

Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp, right, is seen at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague, Netherlands, yesterday.
Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp, right, is seen at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague, Netherlands, yesterday.   (AP Photo)
In this image made from a TV broadcast today by the International Criminal Court, former Liberian President Charles Taylor addresses the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.
In this image made from a TV broadcast today by the International Criminal Court, former Liberian President Charles Taylor addresses the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.   (AP Photo)
Charles Taylor, right, and lawyer Courtenay Griffits, left, are seen at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague, Netherlands, yesterday.
Charles Taylor, right, and lawyer Courtenay Griffits, left, are seen at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague, Netherlands, yesterday.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

5 Stories

(Newser) - Former Liberian President Charles Taylor defended displaying human skulls along roadways in his country to scare people into obeying soldiers' orders, reports the Times of London. “Skulls were used as symbols of death,” he told the judges at his trial at the Hague. “Enemy soldiers had been... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Africa • United Nations • The Hague • Charles Taylor • Sierra Leone • Liberia

'Blood Diamonds' Trial Opens

War crimes court pleads for cash in case against former Liberian president

Jan 7, 08 3:29 AM CST
(Newser) - The war crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor is set to begin in The Hague after months of costly delays—forcing the court to ask for financial handouts to complete the proceedings. Taylor, 59, trained Sierra Leone's notoriously violent Revolutionary United Front in exchange for "blood diamonds,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
war crimes • murder • rape • Charles Taylor • Sierra Leone • Liberia • crimes against humanity • blood diamonds • The Special Court for Sierra Leone • Stephen Rapp • Revolutionary United Front

Soldier Draws 110 Years for Rape, Murder

Coconspirators handed tough sentences for young girl's death

Aug 5, 07 9:00 AM CDT
(Newser) - A military court handed Jesse Spielman a dishonorable discharge and a 110-year prison sentence for raping and murdering an Iraqi girl last year. Spielman and four comrades planned the 2006 assault on a family near Baghdad over a drunken game of cards; they then gang-raped and murdered the girl, her... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Iraq • military • war crimes • murder • rape • court • sentencing • soldier • Jesse Spielman • death sentence

5 Stories


World  •  Crime & Courts 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
torture • terrorism • war crimes • murder • rape • Charles Taylor • Sierra Leone • Liberia • diamond • The Special Court for Sierra Leone • Revolutionary United Front • rebels

from our news partners