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US court to sentence Taylor's son US court to sentence Taylor's son
(30 minutes later)
"Chuckie" Taylor, the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor is due to be sentenced by a US court after being convicted of torture."Chuckie" Taylor, the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor is due to be sentenced by a US court after being convicted of torture.
The case is the first test of a 1994 US law allowing the prosecution of citizens who commit torture overseas.The case is the first test of a 1994 US law allowing the prosecution of citizens who commit torture overseas.
Chuckie Taylor headed a notorious paramilitary unit while his father's government was battling rebels. Chuckie Taylor, 31, headed a notorious paramilitary unit while his father's government was battling rebels.
Charles Taylor is on trial at a court in The Hague - he denies 11 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes.Charles Taylor is on trial at a court in The Hague - he denies 11 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Torturing groupTorturing group
After his father won Liberia's 1997 elections, Chuckie Taylor moved to the country and was made the head of the notorious Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) while in his early 20s.Charles Taylor Snr faces war crimes charges in The HagueAfter his father won Liberia's 1997 elections, Chuckie Taylor moved to the country and was made the head of the notorious Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) while in his early 20s.Charles Taylor Snr faces war crimes charges in The Hague
This elite pro-government military division was widely feared in Liberia and the crimes were especially brutal when the unit was cracking down on a rebellion which began in 1999.This elite pro-government military division was widely feared in Liberia and the crimes were especially brutal when the unit was cracking down on a rebellion which began in 1999.
At his trial in October 2008, Chuckie Taylor was accused of committing or conspiring to commit executions, imprisoning a group of individuals in a hole in the ground, burning victims and administering electric shocks.At his trial in October 2008, Chuckie Taylor was accused of committing or conspiring to commit executions, imprisoning a group of individuals in a hole in the ground, burning victims and administering electric shocks.
The Miami jury made a direct link between some incidents of torture and the defendant.The Miami jury made a direct link between some incidents of torture and the defendant.
Milestone for justiceMilestone for justice
Defence lawyers had said many of the witnesses lied in a bid to win political asylum in the US or to settle political vendettas.Defence lawyers had said many of the witnesses lied in a bid to win political asylum in the US or to settle political vendettas.
Human Rights Watch, the US-based watchdog, described the verdict as a milestone for ensuring justice for atrocities. Torture is one of the gravest crimes, and the sentence should reflect its seriousness Elise KepplerHuman Rights WatchHuman Rights Watch, the US-based watchdog, described the verdict as a milestone for ensuring justice for atrocities. Torture is one of the gravest crimes, and the sentence should reflect its seriousness Elise KepplerHuman Rights Watch
"Chuckie Taylor's prosecution is an important step in ensuring the United States is not a safe haven for human rights abusers," said Elise Keppler, senior counsel for Human Rights Watch's International Justice Program."Chuckie Taylor's prosecution is an important step in ensuring the United States is not a safe haven for human rights abusers," said Elise Keppler, senior counsel for Human Rights Watch's International Justice Program.
"Torture is one of the gravest crimes, and the sentence should reflect its seriousness.""Torture is one of the gravest crimes, and the sentence should reflect its seriousness."
A Liberian minister told the BBC the verdict sent a message that nobody - regardless of how powerful they were - could get away with unspeakable crimes.A Liberian minister told the BBC the verdict sent a message that nobody - regardless of how powerful they were - could get away with unspeakable crimes.
Liberia is currently trying to recover from 14 years of conflict.Liberia is currently trying to recover from 14 years of conflict.
At nationwide hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, victims are recounting the heinous crimes that tore the country apart.At nationwide hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, victims are recounting the heinous crimes that tore the country apart.
Charles Taylor denies the charges he backed brutal rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone.Charles Taylor denies the charges he backed brutal rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
He stepped down in 2003, as rebels advanced on the capital Monrovia.He stepped down in 2003, as rebels advanced on the capital Monrovia.