By Erica L Smith
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MONROVIA, Liberia — Charles Taylor, former dictator of Liberia, was transferred to British custody Tuesday. The transfer comes just a day after the release of documents detailing his life behind bars in The Hague and his desire to serve out his prison term in Rwanda.

“Charles Ghankay Taylor… was transferred today (Tuesday)  from the Netherlands and the custody of the Special Court to the United Kingdom, where he will serve the remainder of his 50-year sentence,” the UN’s Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL)’s Freetown office said in a statement.

Taylor is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison after his conviction and 50 year sentence for arming rebel groups during the Liberian Civil War was upheld by the SCSL last week. Taylor supported the Revolutionary United Front rebels in exchange for “blood diamonds.”  The rebel group became well know for widespread killings and amputations during the 11 year conflict.

Taylor wished to serve his sentence out in Rwanda because he fears for his safety in British custody. Taylor and his defense team argue that there are numerous individuals of Sierra Leonean background in British detention and Taylor fears they may attack him because of his association with “horrendous atrocities.” The defense team points to the case of Radislav Krstic, a Bosnian Serb war criminal, who was attacked three times while in British custody in 2010.

Taylor also wanted to be imprisoned in Rwanda so that his family would be able to visit him. Taylor believes that the higher costs and visa complications facing Liberians traveling to the U.K. will make it impossible for him to see his family.

“The consequence of these factors is that if I am incarcerated in the United Kingdom some family members will see me much less than if I were to serve my sentence in Rwanda. Many of my children would not be able to see me at all,” Taylor said.

Taylor is reported to have 15 children, five of whom are under the age of 10.

The documents further reveal that Taylor remained on good terms with his guards and is outspoken when he believes his living conditions are not satisfactory.

“Mr. Taylor does not take part in creative lessons, but takes the opportunity to regularly enjoy fresh air and tries to keep himself as fit as the regime will allow,” a May 2012 profile prepared by Paddy Craig, the chief custody officer at the International Criminal Court detention center reads.

Taylor also enjoyed playing tennis while incarcerated in The Hague.

For more information, please see:

Nigerian Tribune — War crimes: Charles Taylor secretly sent to UK jail — 16 October 2013

BBC News — Liberia’s Charles Taylor transferred to UK — 15 October 2013

IOL News — Taylor wants to serve time in Rwanda — 15 October 2013

ABC News — Documents Detail Charles Taylor’s Life Behind Bars — 14 October 2013