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The Chief Persecutor for the Special Court of Sierra Leone sitting in The Hague , Netherlands, Brenda Hollies, who is visiting Liberia has given two cardinal reasons that led to the conviction and sentencing of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Speaking Tuesday on the main campus of the University of Liberia at a special edition of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum, Madam Hollies clarified that though Mr. Taylor did not physically partake in the rebellion but investigations conducted by the court showed some level of degree of support given to the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and its allies.
According to her, the former Liberian President was the brain behind one of the fearless operations carried out in Sierra Leone between 1998- 1999 named: “Operation No Living Thing” which led to the amputation of several innocent civilians in exchange for diamonds.
Another reason for Taylor’s conviction, the Chief Persecutor said was his critical support to the RUF in terms of arms and other military supports which she claimed were provided to commit those acts.
She said Mr. Taylor could not easily vindicate himself due to pieces of evidence gathered by the court during the trial.
During the forum, the Chief Persecutor also denied report of any interference of the verdict from the international community particularly America and Great Britain, noting that the guilty verdict was a unanimous decision reached by the judges which was also welcomed by one of Taylor’s defense counsels, but failed to disclose the name of the individual despite being asked by one of the participants.
On May 30th this year, judges of the Special Court for Sierra Leone brought down a guilty verdict on Mr. Taylor for aiding and abetting the rebellion in that country. He was later sentenced for 50 years.
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