The three-year long war crimes trial of Liberia’s ex-President Charles Taylor has closed for judges in The Hague to consider their verdict, BBC online reports Friday.
On the final day, the prosecution said Mr Taylor (62) was an intelligent and charismatic man who was hoping to fool the UN-backed court for Sierra Leone. The defence team has argued that the trial has been politically motivated.
Mr Taylor denies 11 charges, including murder, rape and using child soldiers during the civil war in Sierra Leone.
He is the first former African leader to face such an international tribunal. He has been accused of arming and controlling the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels during a 10-year campaign of terror conducted largely against civilians.
The RUF became infamous (berygtet) for hacking off the limbs of its victims, and using rape and murder to terrorise the population. Mr Taylor has been accused of selling “blood diamonds” for the rebels, in return for supplying them with weapons.
Judges have now adjourned to consider the verdict, expected in about four months. If convicted, Mr Taylor would serve a prison sentence in the UK.
