Charles Taylor trial weekly summaries (August 24 - 28, 2009)
By Joseph Cheeseman and Adolphus Williams reporting from The Hague
August 24, 2009
At the sixth week of his testimonies on direct examination, Former Liberian President, Charles Taylor said the UN Panel of Experts was biased against Liberia. Mr. Taylor said the United States and Great Britain had the capability to have monitored gun running and diamond smuggling between Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Accused Former Liberian Leader told the Court the American Central Intelligence Agency, the CIA, assisted him during his rebel war. Liberian journalist Joseph Cheeseman reports from The Hague.
Click here to listen to Joseph Cheeseman’s report (August 24, 2009)
August 25, 2009
The UN Panel of Experts’ report of December 2000 alleged that an illegal diamonds trade involving Former Liberian President Charles Taylor and the RUF Rebels fuelled the decade long civil war in Sierra Leone. The UN Panel damning report has taken center stage at Mr. Taylor’s war crimes trial in The Hague. Mr. Taylor denied any government officials involvement in the trade and wondered why America cannot stop the drug trade at its border with Mexico.
Click here to listen to Joseph Cheeseman’s report (August 25, 2009)
August 26, 2009
The Taylor defence team is still skimming through the UN Panel of Experts Report of December 2000. The UN Panel claimed that Mr. Taylor supported the Sierra Leonean Rebels at all levels. But Mr. Taylor said the UN Panel report is travesty of Justice. The Former Liberian Leader accused the UN Panel of going beyond its mandate. From The Hague, Adolphus Williams reports.
Click here to listen to Adolphus Williams’ report (August 26, 2009)
August 27, 2009
Accused Former Liberian President said London based Sierra Leone Journalist, Sorious Samura, the Producer of Cry Freetown, was sent to Liberia in 2001 to assassinate him. Mr. Taylor testified about the role the US played in the brutal killing of the late Liberian President, Samuel Doe, and the massacre of over 600 Liberians at Carter Camp in Liberia. Adolphus Williams reports.
Click here to listen to Adolphus Williams’ report (August 27, 2009)
August 28, 2009
The Court does not sit on Fridays