Charles Taylor trial weekly summaries (November 9 - 13, 2009)

By Alphonsus Zeon and Adolphus Williams reporting from The Hague

Nov 2009
13

November 9, 2009
Charles Taylor and his Defence team have repeated that the prosecution of the Former Liberian President is political and racist. Lead Counsel Courtney Griffiths said the testimony of Former Chief Prosecutor, David Crane before the US congressional sub-committee on Africa proves  the political and racist nature of the Taylor trial. The Defence also said Mr. Taylor’s honest efforts in the release of 500 UN peace keepers seized by the RUF rebels were taken out of context. BBCWST Producer Alphonsus Zeon reports from The Hague

Click here to listen to Alphonsus Zeon’s report (November 9, 2009)

November 10, 2009
The cross examination of the Former Liberian President Charles Taylor has started in The Hague following almost 4-months of questions from his own lawyers. Senior Prosecuting Attorney, Brenda Hollis began questioning Mr. Taylor late Tuesday on the source of series of documents, one of them Mr. Taylor called a Dutch intelligent report on his role in the war in Sierra Leone. BBCWST Producer, Alphonsus Zeon reports from The Hague

Click here to listen to Alphonsus Zeon’s report (November 10, 2009)

November 11, 2009
The Defence blocked the prosecution cross examination of Former Liberian President Charles Taylor Wednesday when the prosecution began questioning Mr. Taylor based on documents not previously disclosed. Lead Defence lawyer, Courtenay Griffiths said questioning Mr. Taylor on fresh documents not previously disclosed amounted to ambushing the accused and violated the rule of disclosure. Adolphus Williams reports from The Hague..

Click here to listen to Adolphus Williams’ report (November 11, 2009)

November 12, 2009
The Cross examination of the Former Liberian President, Charles Taylor has been put up until Monday. The early adjournment Thursday was preceded by Senior Prosecuting Lawyer, Brenda Hollis’ request that the Prosecution needed time to re-adjust their cross examination strategy in respect of the new document she put into evidence Wednesday. Adolphus Williams report from The Hague.

Click here to listen to Adolphus Williams’ report (November 12, 2009)

November 13, 2009
The Court does not sit on Fridays