Charles Taylor trial weekly summaries (October 13 - 17, 2008)

By by Joseph Cheeseman reporting from the Hague

Oct 2008
13

October 13, 2008                                                                                                          The prosecution of the Special Court for Sierra Leone demonstrated its determination to conclude its side of Charles Taylor’s trial today when in a roll it put four witnesses on the stand in The Hague. The four witnesses showed marks of AFRC/RUF brutalities.The first witness, a 33 year-old Sierra Leonean man displayed to the Judges the remains of his right  hand chopped off below the elbow.  The second witness a 60 year-old man, chopped on the right hand below the wrist held up his hands for the Judges. The third witness showed in court his chest allegedly marked with a surgical blade, AFRC/RUF inscription. The fourth witness said she was raped by the rebels.

 Click here to listen to Joseph Cheeseman’s report (October 13, 2008)

 

October 14, 2008

Victims of amputation, rape, the marking of human bodies with RUF inscriptions and other forms of atrocities are making their way to the Dutch City of The Hague each day to testify against Charles Taylor, the man accused of sponsoring the alleged acts of terrorism meted against them by the Sierra Leonean Rebel Group. Just within two days the prosecution of the Special Court for Sierra Leone has produced seven victims of the war as witnesses.

 

 Click here to listen to Joseph Cheeseman’s report (October 14, 2008)

 

 October 15, 2008

The trial of accused Former Liberian President, Charles Taylor has been continuing for three days in the absence of Presiding Judge, Teresa Doherty. In her absence, Justice Richard Lussick is presiding over the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Justice Lussick is being assisted by the Uganda Lady Justice, Julia Sebutinde and Alternate Judge El Hadji Malick Sow.  Where then is the Presiding Judge of the Special Court for Sierra Leone?

 

  Click here to listen to Joseph Cheeseman’s report (October 15, 2008)

 

October 16, 2008

 

October 17, 2008

The Presiding Judge of the Special Court for Sierra Leone returned to court on Thursday afternoon staying away for more three days. During the morning session of the court on Friday, after the announcement of representations by prosecution and Defence Lawyers in Court, Justice Teresa Doherty commented on the publication about her departure from The Hague without any public announcement.

 

 Click here to listen to Joseph Cheeseman’s report (October 17, 2008)