Taylor Denies Additional Allegations

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Journal, Africa Desk

THE HAGUE, Netherlands-As the Charles Taylor trial continues, prosecutors have continued to assert more atrocities committed by Taylor through their direct examination of him. The last few days saw prosecutors allege Taylor used children in combat, transferred money to foreign bank accounts, and that he is a liar. Prosecutors also challenged the motives behind his ensuring the release of UN hostages in Sierra Leone. Finally prosecutors also claim that Taylor did not encourage Press Freedom in Liberia, despite his claims that he did.

Lead prosecutor Brenda Hollis told Taylor that he recruited and used children for military purposes in Liberia, explaining why it would be no surprise to him that RUF rebels were also using child soldiers. He dismissed the claim as untrue. Ms. Hollis said to Taylor, “You yourself had armed children, some as young as eight years old.”  In response to this statement, Taylor said, “That is total nonsense. Every child that I held I put in an orphanage.” Taylor also responded to the prosecutions allegation that he used children as young as ten to man check points by saying, “I did not use any children as young as ten to man check-points. There were soldiers and some of them had their relatives around them, but I did not use any children to man check-points.”

In regards to Taylors restrictions on the Press in Liberia, Ms. Hollis alleged that during his time as President of Liberia, several media outlets were closed and several journalist were harassed and imprisoned.  Hollis said to Taylor that his government was actually “repressive and intolerant to press freedom.” Taylor dismissed these claims as “totally incorrect”.

Ms. Hollis also questioned the sincerity and motive behind Taylor’s ensuring the release of hostages in Sierra Leone, and his further request for a cease fire. Hollis is claiming that the true motive was to help Sierra Leonean Rebel forces establish more control in the country. This was also dismissed by Taylor in court.

For more information please see:

Charles Taylor Trial – …He Used Children in Combat, He Transferred Money to Foreign Bank Accounts And He is a Liar, Prosecutors Say- 29 January 2010

Charles Taylor Trial – Charles Taylor Did Not Encourage Press Freedom In Liberia, Prosecutors Say – 1 February 2010

Charles Taylor Trial – Taylor Ensured The Release of UN Hostages In Sierra Leone… - 2 February 2010