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Charles Taylor defence to resume I fought corruption, says Taylor
(about 5 hours later)
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is due to continue his defence at a war crimes tribunal in The Hague. Liberia's former president Charles Taylor has told his UN war crimes trial that he spent years fighting corruption before he took power.
Mr Taylor appeared in the witness box at his trial for the first time on Tuesday, dismissing the charges against him as "lies". He told judges in The Hague he joined the government in 1980, but his anti-corruption stance made him unpopular.
He is accused of having armed and directed rebel groups during the civil war in neighbouring Sierra Leone. He overthrew Samuel Doe's government in a bloody conflict in the late 1980s and is accused of directing rebels in the civil war in Sierra Leone in the 1990s.
He denies 11 counts, including murder, terrorism, rape and torture, at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone. He denies 11 charges including murder, terrorism, rape and torture.
An estimated 500,000 people were killed, mutilated or suffered other atrocities in the 1991-2002 civil war. Mr Taylor's British lawyer, Courtenay Griffiths, is leading the former president through a reconstruction of his life and the circumstances of his 1997-2003 premiership.
Analysts at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone say the lawyer is trying to portray Mr Taylor as a virtuous leader and peacemaker, rather than the vicious warlord prosecutors say he is.
'Deceit, deception, lies'
Mr Taylor appeared in the witness box for the first time on Tuesday, two years after his trial began.
CHARLES TAYLOR CHARGES Violation of humanitarian law: Conscripting child soldiersCrimes against humanity: Terrorising civilians, murder, rape, sexual slavery, enslavementWar crimes: "Violence to life", cruel treatment (including hacking off limbs), pillage Preacher, warlord, president Q&A: Trying Taylor Taylor's defiant testimony
He dismissed the case against him as "lies".
An estimated 500,000 people were killed, mutilated or suffered other atrocities in the civil war in Sierra Leone, which lasted from 1991 until 2002.
Some of the worst crimes were committed by child soldiers who were drugged to desensitise them.Some of the worst crimes were committed by child soldiers who were drugged to desensitise them.
Mr Taylor is the first African leader to be tried by an international court.Mr Taylor is the first African leader to be tried by an international court.
'Deceit and deception' He told the court on Tuesday he had wanted to bring peace to Liberia's West African neighbour.
Testifying on Tuesday for the first time since his trial began more than two years ago, he told the court he had only wanted to bring peace to Liberia's West African neighbour.
CHARLES TAYLOR CHARGES Violation of humanitarian law: Conscripting child soldiersCrimes against humanity: Terrorising civilians, murder, rape, sexual slavery, enslavementWar crimes: Violence to life and cruel treatment (including hacking off limbs) pillage Preacher, warlord, president Q&A: Trying Taylor Taylor's defiant testimony
He denied being involved in atrocities committed by Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels during the civil war.He denied being involved in atrocities committed by Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels during the civil war.
"I am not guilty of these charges, not even a minute part of these charges," he said. "This whole case is a case of deceit, deception and lies.""I am not guilty of these charges, not even a minute part of these charges," he said. "This whole case is a case of deceit, deception and lies."
Prosecutors have called 91 witnesses in pressing their case that Mr Taylor provided arms, money and support to Sierra Leone rebels in exchange for diamonds.Prosecutors have called 91 witnesses in pressing their case that Mr Taylor provided arms, money and support to Sierra Leone rebels in exchange for diamonds.
The defence says Mr Taylor could not have managed a rebel operation in Sierra Leone while also running affairs of state in Liberia.
Mr Taylor is the first of 249 witnesses the defence has said it may call.Mr Taylor is the first of 249 witnesses the defence has said it may call.
The trial was moved to the Netherlands from Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, amid fears it could create instability there and in neighbouring Liberia.The trial was moved to the Netherlands from Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, amid fears it could create instability there and in neighbouring Liberia.
A verdict in the case is expected some time in 2010. A verdict in the case is expected in 2010.