By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

THE HAGUE,Netherlands-In his second day of cross-examination Charles Taylor was confronted with questions by the Prosecution that did not please him, or his defense counsel.  The Prosecution’s lead counsel, Ms. Brenda Hollis, asked Taylor questions about certain provisions in the Lome Peace Accord, which was a peace agreement signed between the Sierra Leonean government and the country’s main rebel group, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), in 1999. It was when she attempted to present a copy of the agreement to Taylor to discuss specific provisions that benefitted the RUF, that Taylor’s defense counsel quickly objected to what he called an attempt to introduce “fresh evidence” after the case was closed.

The objection was sustained, and the presiding judge, Justice Richard Lussic reasoned that “the interests of justice require consideration of all evidence against the accused, but it was necessary to balance such need for justice with the fair trial rights of the accused.” The judges ruled that the prosecution could not introduce new evidence in the form of documents which had not been presented as part of the prosecution’s case and were not used by the defense in direct-examination of the accused.

The court however insisted that the Prosecution, instead draft a motion, allowing the defense an opportunity to respond about the inclusion of the Lome Accord. Upon that, the judges could make a ruling on whether the new documents could be introduced as part of the prosecution’s cross-examination of Taylor.

This ruling seems to have put a dent in the Prosecution’s strategy. This is evidenced by the Prosecution’s request the next day to adjourn early to allow more time to “rearrange” strategies for the cross examination of Taylor.

For more information please see:

All Africa – Judges Caution Prosecution On The Introduction of New Evidence – 11 November 2009

Charles Taylor Trial – Judges Caution Prosecution On The Introduction of New Evidence In The Cross-Examination of Charles Taylor – 11 November 2009

Charles Taylor Trial – Judges Give Prosecution More Time to Rearrange Strategies For The Cross-Examination of Charles Taylor – 12 November 2009