FACTBOX: Sierra Leone's war crimes court

(Reuters) - The trial of Liberia's former President Charles Taylor will continue despite his failure to appear before the U.N. Special Court for Sierra Leone at The Hague on Monday.

He has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of instigating murder, rape, mutilation and the recruitment of child soldiers in the 1991-2002 civil war in Sierra Leone.

Here are some facts about the court:

* The court is an international body independent of any government or organization with a staff including Sierra Leoneans and foreigners.

* It was established on January 16, 2002, days before the war in Sierra Leone was declared over, to try those deemed to bear the greatest responsibility for crimes during the conflict.

* Although the war started in 1991, the court's mandate is only for crimes committed since November 30, 1996, the date of a failed peace deal.

* Some 50,000 people died in the war, which was notorious for amputation as a tool of war and the use of drugged-up child soldiers.

* It is the first mixed tribunal of its kind, with judges appointed by the United Nations and Sierra Leone. Stephen Rapp, an American, became chief prosecutor this year.

* It was the first court of its kind set up with the agreement of the country concerned and to sit where the crimes were committed; however Taylor was sent to a special sitting in The Hague due to fears a trial in Freetown could spur unrest in Sierra Leone or Liberia.

* Ten people currently stand indicted, including rebel leaders and loyalist militia leaders as well as Taylor.

* The court holds all except former army ruler Johnny Paul Koroma, whose death was reported in 2003 but who is still classed as missing.

* Three other key indictees are dead:

- Foday Sankoh, leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels, died in custody in 2003.

- His lieutenant Sam Bockarie was shot dead in Liberia in 2003.

- Sam Hinga Norman, a leader of a pro-government militia, died in February 2007.

Sources; Reuters/Sierra Leone court/

(www.sc-sl.org/index.html)