Liberia's Taylor to take stand in war crimes case
* Taylor, on war crimes charges, takes stand from Tuesday
* Defence says former Liberian leader tried to broker peace
(Adds defence comments)
By Reed Stevenson
THE HAGUE, July 13 (Reuters) - Defence counsel for former Liberian President Charles Taylor, on trial for war crimes, argued on Monday that he had been trying to broker peace not foment violence in Sierra Leone's 1991-2002 civil war.
Taylor, 61, who is charged with instigating murder, rape, mutilation, conscripting child soldiers and sexual slavery, is himself expected to take the stand for several weeks from Tuesday at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
He has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of war crimes arising from the intertwined wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone in which more than 250,000 people were killed.
Defence lawyer Courtenay Griffiths told judges there was no evidence Taylor had planned or instigated atrocities in Sierra Leone and that he had been trying to broker peace.
"We do not take issue with the fact that terrible atrocities occurred in Sierra Leone," Griffiths said in a statement.
"This case should not be about what happened in Sierra Leone, but who bears the greatest responsibility, bearing in mind that Charles Taylor tried to achieve peace."
Prosecutors, who closed their case in February, say Taylor directed the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in a campaign of terror against civilians, seeking to control Sierra Leone's diamond mines and destabilise its government to boost his regional influence.
"We were very pleased by the testimony that was presented and the breadth and strength of it," Stephen Rapp, prosecutor at the United Nations-backed court for Sierra Leone, said before the defence presented its arguments.
Prosecutors called 91 witnesses, some of whom described in graphic detail crimes committed in Sierra Leone, including amputations, murder of children and cannibalism.
Griffiths said a "revenge-seeking prosecution" had called witnesses who detailed crimes rather than link Taylor to any crimes. He said Taylor would exonerate himself.
"This is first and perhaps only chance to give his account," Griffith's said.
Taylor, who appeared in court wearing a grey suit and dark glasses, has been on trial in The Hague since June 2007 at facilities provided by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The court is based in Freetown, but the trial is taking place in the Netherlands due to concerns it may trigger violence in Sierra Leone.
In May, judges ruled against a defence request to acquit Taylor of war crimes charges, saying the prosecution had produced enough evidence supporting a conviction.
Judge Richard Lussick has stressed, however, that the ruling does not mean Taylor would be convicted.
"Charles Taylor's trial gives victims of heinous abuses in Sierra Leone an important opportunity to see justice done," Elise Keppler, senior counsel with Human Rights, said in a statement.
"A vigorous defence is key to ensuring a fair, credible trial."
Even among Africa's horrific wars, the fighting in Sierra Leone stood out for its exceptional brutality -- casual murder, mass rapes, the hacking of limbs from civilians and the press ganging of child soldiers as young as eight. (Editing by Richard Balmforth)
* Defence says former Liberian leader tried to broker peace
(Adds defence comments)
By Reed Stevenson
THE HAGUE, July 13 (Reuters) - Defence counsel for former Liberian President Charles Taylor, on trial for war crimes, argued on Monday that he had been trying to broker peace not foment violence in Sierra Leone's 1991-2002 civil war.
Taylor, 61, who is charged with instigating murder, rape, mutilation, conscripting child soldiers and sexual slavery, is himself expected to take the stand for several weeks from Tuesday at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
He has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of war crimes arising from the intertwined wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone in which more than 250,000 people were killed.
Defence lawyer Courtenay Griffiths told judges there was no evidence Taylor had planned or instigated atrocities in Sierra Leone and that he had been trying to broker peace.
"We do not take issue with the fact that terrible atrocities occurred in Sierra Leone," Griffiths said in a statement.
"This case should not be about what happened in Sierra Leone, but who bears the greatest responsibility, bearing in mind that Charles Taylor tried to achieve peace."
Prosecutors, who closed their case in February, say Taylor directed the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in a campaign of terror against civilians, seeking to control Sierra Leone's diamond mines and destabilise its government to boost his regional influence.
"We were very pleased by the testimony that was presented and the breadth and strength of it," Stephen Rapp, prosecutor at the United Nations-backed court for Sierra Leone, said before the defence presented its arguments.
Prosecutors called 91 witnesses, some of whom described in graphic detail crimes committed in Sierra Leone, including amputations, murder of children and cannibalism.
Griffiths said a "revenge-seeking prosecution" had called witnesses who detailed crimes rather than link Taylor to any crimes. He said Taylor would exonerate himself.
"This is first and perhaps only chance to give his account," Griffith's said.
Taylor, who appeared in court wearing a grey suit and dark glasses, has been on trial in The Hague since June 2007 at facilities provided by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The court is based in Freetown, but the trial is taking place in the Netherlands due to concerns it may trigger violence in Sierra Leone.
In May, judges ruled against a defence request to acquit Taylor of war crimes charges, saying the prosecution had produced enough evidence supporting a conviction.
Judge Richard Lussick has stressed, however, that the ruling does not mean Taylor would be convicted.
"Charles Taylor's trial gives victims of heinous abuses in Sierra Leone an important opportunity to see justice done," Elise Keppler, senior counsel with Human Rights, said in a statement.
"A vigorous defence is key to ensuring a fair, credible trial."
Even among Africa's horrific wars, the fighting in Sierra Leone stood out for its exceptional brutality -- casual murder, mass rapes, the hacking of limbs from civilians and the press ganging of child soldiers as young as eight. (Editing by Richard Balmforth)
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