This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7820069.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Taylor's son jailed for 97 years Taylor's son jailed for 97 years
(about 1 hour later)
"Chuckie" Taylor, the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor has been sentenced by a US court to 97 years in prison for committing torture. "Chuckie" Taylor, the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor has been sentenced by a US court to 97 years in prison for torture.
The case has been the first test of a 1994 US law allowing the prosecution of citizens who commit torture overseas. It is the first time a US court applied a 1994 law allowing the prosecution of citizens who commit torture overseas.
Chuckie Taylor, 31, headed a notorious paramilitary unit while his father's government was battling rebels. Chuckie Taylor, 31, who headed a notorious paramilitary unit during his father's rule, said he would appeal.
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.
It is hard to conceive of any more serious offences against...of human beings Judge Altonaga
US District Judge Cecilia M Altonaga imposed the sentence on Chuckie Taylor - whose real name is Charles McArthur Emmanuel - at a hearing in a Miami court.
Shackled and dressed in a prison jumpsuit Taylor showed no emotion or reaction at the sentence, but told Judge Altonaga he would swiftly appeal.
He also said he rejected an offer from prosecutors to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence.
"My innocence was important to me then, as it is now," said Taylor.
"My sympathies go out to all the people who suffered in the conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone," he added.
"It is hard to conceive of any more serious offences against the dignity and the lives of human beings," Judge Altonaga said just before announcing the sentence. "The international community condemns torture," she added.
Torturing groupTorturing group
The prosecution had urged that Chuckie Taylor be sentenced to 147 years in prison, while defence lawyers sought leniency. The prosecution had urged that Chuckie Taylor be sentenced to 147 years in prison.
He was born in the US but after his father won Liberia's 1997 elections, he 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 Defence lawyers though had argued for leniency, arguing that many of the witnesses at his trial in October 2008 lied in a bid to win political asylum in the US or to settle political vendettas.
Chuckie Taylor as born in the US but after his father won Liberia's 1997 elections, he 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 Miami late last year, 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 jury made a direct link between some incidents of torture and the defendant.
Milestone 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.
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 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 Programme, prior to the announcement of Chuckie Taylor's prison term.
"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.
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.