Victims hail Charles Taylor conviction by Hague tribunal
- 12 years ago
Eyes are glued to the screen as crowds gather in the Liberian capital to watch the verdict being given to former President Charles Taylor.
The UN-backed court found him guilty of murder, rape, conscripting child soldiers and sexual slavery during intertwined wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, which killed more than 50,000 people.
It's the first time an African head of state has been found guilty by an international tribunal.
This man lost both his arms in the infamous "short sleeve, long sleeve" terror campaign meted out by Taylor's rebel army in Sierra Leone.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MOHAMMED BA SAYING:
"I think that everybody is happy for this type of judgement, long awaited judgement, people were crying for this judgement. I think impunity has been addressed, justice has been done for Sierra Leonians, so we are so grateful to the international community."
The judge said that in return for providing arms and ammunition, Taylor received so called "blood diamonds."
He denies the charges, arguing his trial was a politically motivated conspiracy by Western nations.
Lily Grimes, Reuters
The UN-backed court found him guilty of murder, rape, conscripting child soldiers and sexual slavery during intertwined wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, which killed more than 50,000 people.
It's the first time an African head of state has been found guilty by an international tribunal.
This man lost both his arms in the infamous "short sleeve, long sleeve" terror campaign meted out by Taylor's rebel army in Sierra Leone.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MOHAMMED BA SAYING:
"I think that everybody is happy for this type of judgement, long awaited judgement, people were crying for this judgement. I think impunity has been addressed, justice has been done for Sierra Leonians, so we are so grateful to the international community."
The judge said that in return for providing arms and ammunition, Taylor received so called "blood diamonds."
He denies the charges, arguing his trial was a politically motivated conspiracy by Western nations.
Lily Grimes, Reuters