By: Danielle L. Gwozdz
Impunity Watch News Reporter, Africa

MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberia’s ex-president, Charles Taylor, faces the international court handling his appeal against his conviction for war crimes, such as aiding and abetting atrocities by rebels, in Sierra Leone.  The court will deliver its decision next month.  Taylor seeks to overturn his conviction and 50-year prison sentence.

Last year Taylor was found guilty of lending support to Sierra Leone rebels who raged a terror campaign during a civil war that claimed 120,000 lives between 1991 and 2001, in exchange for “blood diamonds” mined by slave labor.

The Liberian war officially ended in 2002.

The court found him guilty on 11 charges, including acts of terrorism, murder, rape, sexual slavery, and the use of child soldiers.

Taylor’s defense attorneys appealed, arguing that the judges made systematic errors during Taylor’s trial and that the sentence was too severe.  They further argued that there is no evidence linking Taylor to the crimes the rebels committed.

Prosecutor’s also appealed, arguing that Taylor personally ordered rebels to commit crimes and that his sentence was too light.  Prosecutors seek Taylor’s prison time to be increased to 80 years.

Taylor’s sentence in May 2012 was the first handed down by an international court against a former head of state since the Nazi trials at Nuremberg in 1946.

Taylor was president of Liberia from 1997 to 2003, until he was forced to resign under international pressure.  Taylor was accused of giving rebels guns and ammunition during the conflict, which judges found were known for its mutilations, drugged child soldiers, and sex slaves.

After a 3 year exile in Nigeria, Taylor was returned to Liberia in 2006 and transferred to a Special Court.

Taylor’s trial, which ended in 2011, saw a number of high-profile witnesses testifying.  These witnesses included British supermodel Naomi Campbell, who told the court she received a gift of “dirty diamonds” from Taylor.

If Taylor, who is 65, loses the appeal, he is expected to be transferred to a UK prison to serve his sentence.

For further information, please visit:

Yahoo! News – Liberia’s Taylor to hear appeal ruling on September 26 – 27 August 2013
AllAfrica – Liberia: War Crimes Court to Rule On Charles Taylor Appeal – 27 August 2013
The New Zealand Herald – Court sets date for Charles Taylor appeal judgment – 28 August 2013
Voice of America – War Crimes Court to Rule on Charles Taylor Appeal – 27 August 2013
DailyMe – War Crimes Court to Rule on Charles Taylor Appeal Sept. 26 – 27 August 2013
Africa Review – Court to rule on Charles Taylor’s appeal case next month – 28 August 2013