Murtala Kamara Mohammed, AfricaNews reporter in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Ex-Liberian leader, Charles Taylor, standing trial on various war crimes and crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the conflict in Sierra Leone has denied all charges made against him by the UN backed court. Taylor said the charges against him by the court are "based on lies and deception.
“I am not guilty of all these charges, not even a minute of it.’’
Sierra Leone’s decade long civil war was the most barbaric war ever fought on planet earth according to records. Over seventy five thousands were killed; hundreds lost their limbs whiles millions of properties were burnt down. Sierra Leone, one of the world’s poorest nations is still trying to recover from that civil war.
Although many have welcomed the decision to prosecute ‘those that bear the greatest responsibilities in that conflict’ but a large percentage of the populace in the country have frowned at the millions of dollars the court has used whiles suggesting that this money would have been given to those victims of the that war.
Sharply dressed in a dark suit with tinted glasses whiles testifying, the Ex-Liberian leader said “I have always do what is right whiles accepting that atrocities were committed in that country, the former warlord told the full court room that ‘’he had no control over it.
Taylor at one point denied an allegation earlier that he ate human flesh whiles saying that he do not understand why people will come so low. On the allegation that he was in control of diamonds jars, Taylor said: Never, ever, did I receive whether it is mayonnaise or coffee or whatever jar, never received any diamonds from the RUF. It's a lie, it's a diabolical lie. Never.”
I am a father of 14 children, grandchildren, with love for humanity, have fought all my life to do what I thought was right in the interests of justice and fair play." the sharp talker said.
The defense team presented 91 witnesses whom testified against Taylor but Taylor’s lead defense lawyer has asked the court to present more than trice that number.
The Charles Taylor trial is the only trial ongoing at the moment at the Special Court and if found guilty court sources say he might possibly served his jail term in the UK.
The trial was streamed at the Special Court facilities in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
Ex-Liberian leader, Charles Taylor, standing trial on various war crimes and crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the conflict in Sierra Leone has denied all charges made against him by the UN backed court. Taylor said the charges against him by the court are "based on lies and deception.
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