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UN Court Convicts Taylor Of Crimes In Sierra Leone


Former Liberian President Charles Taylor waiting for the start of the prosecution's closing arguments during his trial at the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone in the Netherlands. (file photo)
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor waiting for the start of the prosecution's closing arguments during his trial at the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone in the Netherlands. (file photo)
An international court in The Hague has found former Liberian president Charles Taylor "criminally responsible" for Sierra Leone's war crimes.

Taylor, 64, is the first African head of state to be found guilty by an international tribunal.

The Special Court for Sierra Leone accused Taylor of murder, rape, conscripting child soldiers, and sexual slavery during conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone, in which more than 50,000 people were killed.

Taylor was also accused of having funded his war efforts with "blood diamonds," mined illegally in Sierra Leone.

The court found him guilty of only some of the charges. Taylor denies all the charges. Taylor will be sentenced on May 30.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP

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