Update on Charles Taylor Trial

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor resumed this week, after a ten day recess which allowed the judges of the Special Court to attend a plenary meeting of the Court in Freetown, South Africa. Before the recess, the court heard the rest of former Liberian President (and Taylor’s former vice president) Moses Blah’s testimony.

The prosecution continued its examination of Blah, who testified that he never saw Taylor engage in cannibalism. Nor did he ever hear him order fighters to eat the enemy dead.  However, Blah did state that Revolutionary United Front (“RUF”) rebel leader Foday Sankoh personally complained to Taylor about the rape, looting and killings committed by Liberians assisting the RUF. Taylor apparently responded that “this kind of thing must happen when you’re fighting war.”

Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp then asked a series of questions, designed to wrap up loose ends, pertaining to Blah’s reign as president and details regarding certain military units under Taylor’s control. Blah also testified as to the role of Benjamin Yeaten who was more senior than himself.” He also told of Yeaten’s role in the mass execution of disabled National Patriotic Front of Liberia (“NPFL”) soldiers. When asked by Rapp if Yeaten was ever prosecuted for his atrocities, Blah testified that he was not.

The Defense’s cross examination, led by Defense Counsel Courtenay Griffiths, sought to establish that, despite Blah’s close working relationship with Taylor, the former vice-president never witnessed nor heard of Taylor committing criminal acts. According to the defense, in August 2003 Blah stated that Taylor was not guilty of war crimes. When queried on this fact, Blah claimed that he could not remember making such a statement.

The defense, in what is becoming a common theme, also attempted to show that Blah had been paid by the prosecution and offered immunity, in exchange for his testimony. Blah admitted he received an estimated $5,000 in exchange for medical assistance and travel back to his country to receive documents, but stated that at no point was he compensated for his testimony.

Following his testimony, media reports from his home suggested that Blah and his family were receiving death threats. It was speculated that Blah may not return to his homeland, for fear of reprisal. His testimony prompted angry reactions from Taylor associates, including one who has threatened a lawsuit against Blah. According to reports, Blah’s daughter was also beaten while on her way home from school while he was in The Hague testifying.

Session resumed June 2^nd, with the testimony of Prosecution Witness Samuel Kargbo, a member of the  RUF Supreme Council.

Taylor faces eleven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, all of which he denies. His trial is being held in a courtroom rented from the International Criminal Court in the Hauge for fear the case could trigger violence in Sierra Leone.

For more information, please see

allAfrica.com (citing The Inquirer (Monrovia)) - Blah Faces Cross Examination – 20 May 2008

International Herald Tribune – Taylor former vice president tells court he never saw ex-Liberian leader eat human flesh as alleged – 19 May 2008

The Trial of Charles Taylor - last accessed 4 June 2008

International Herald Tribune – Taylor witness says his daughter was beaten while he testified in The Hague – 20 May 2008

allAfrica.com (citing The NEWS (Monrovia)) – Moses Blah Returns From the Hague – 29 May 2008