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Charles Taylor war crimes trial - live coverage of the verdict Charles Taylor war crimes trial - live coverage of the verdict
(40 minutes later)
10.58am: Another interesting snippet from Owen: 11.36am: Judge Lussick is now turning to Taylor's responsibility for the crimes committed. This is the key – it has been established by the court that many atrocities and other crimes took place, but the prosecution needs to show that Taylor is to blame, due to his authority.
Taylor, the court found, provided the RUF with a base at a government guest house in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, between 1998 and 2001. Security, radio equipment and cooking. Liberian security officers escorted arms shipments to RUF rebels across checkpoints. 11.28am: Another tweet from the BBC's Ros Atkins in Sierra Leone:
It's like time has stopped here. 100s watching in silence. The emotion in the courtroom moves you the moment you enter #freetown #bbctaylor
— Ros Atkins (@BBCRosAtkins) April 26, 2012
11.23am: Two updates from Owen which, while not yet definitive, begin to link events in Sierra Leone and elsehwere directly to Taylor:
Taylor was found by the court to have received 'blood' or 'conflict' diamonds from the RUF. Sometimes they were delivered in person by RUF commanders for 'safe keeping', sometimes they were used to purchase arms and ammunition. One diamond weighed 36 carats, several others were 25 carat diamonds. Diamonds from Sierra Leone are of a far better quality than those from Liberia.
And:
Judge Richard Lussick said Taylor was privately fuelling the conflict by providing arms and ammunition to the RUF in Sierra Leone. His clandestine dealing helped undermine the peace process even when there was a regional arms embargo in force.
11.10am: Some more specifics are starting to come into the verdict on the use of diamonds to fund the conflict, and how it financed the RUF. Owen writes:
Charles Taylor's emissary was given 90 carats of diamonds and $90,000 to purchase weapons for the RUF and other Sierra Leonean rebel groups, the court found.
11.08am: Monica Mark, at the court building in Freetown, sends the following:
A few more amputees have come in on their crutches, but not all war victims are interested in the proceedings. James Kpomgbo, whose arm was amputated, remained at home today, saying: "I will reflect on the suffering we suffered today but I want to forget. We have known all along CT is guilty. Today is just another day where we must find food."
11.05am: The TV feed just showed another shot of Taylor listening to the verdict. With a hand on his chin, leaning forwards, the former president gave no obvious reaction to the details being outlined, but he was clearly listening with care.
10.54am: While the lengthy verdict is still read out, my colleague from our law website, Maya Wolfe-Robinson, has sent me some links to further background reading on the trial. Two come from Alpha Sesay from the Open Society Justice Initiative, who is tweeting exhaustively from The Hague:10.54am: While the lengthy verdict is still read out, my colleague from our law website, Maya Wolfe-Robinson, has sent me some links to further background reading on the trial. Two come from Alpha Sesay from the Open Society Justice Initiative, who is tweeting exhaustively from The Hague:
• Charles Taylor's lawyer needs a lawyer• Charles Taylor's lawyer needs a lawyer
• One judge down: drama continues at the Charles Taylor trial• One judge down: drama continues at the Charles Taylor trial
There is also Marine Hyde's view of the "media feeding frenzy" when Naomi Campbell gave evidence.There is also Marine Hyde's view of the "media feeding frenzy" when Naomi Campbell gave evidence.
10.53am: Owen writes:10.53am: Owen writes:
The court found that Liberian troops were sent in to support RUF rebel attacks in Sierra Leone. Arms and ammunition shipments from Burkina Faso were also facilitated by Taylor.The court found that Liberian troops were sent in to support RUF rebel attacks in Sierra Leone. Arms and ammunition shipments from Burkina Faso were also facilitated by Taylor.
10.51am: Monica Mark, at the courtroom in Freetown, writes:10.51am: Monica Mark, at the courtroom in Freetown, writes:
It's very, very quiet in the court, some older attendees looked visibly shaken as the charges relating to infamous "operation pay yourself" were read out.It's very, very quiet in the court, some older attendees looked visibly shaken as the charges relating to infamous "operation pay yourself" were read out.
10.50am: Ros Atkins from the BBC is among those also tweeting from Freetown:10.50am: Ros Atkins from the BBC is among those also tweeting from Freetown:
A hush has fallen in the2courtrooms in Freetown.Both packed.The opening statements have begun on screens.Listen @bbcworldservice #bbctaylorA hush has fallen in the2courtrooms in Freetown.Both packed.The opening statements have begun on screens.Listen @bbcworldservice #bbctaylor
— Ros Atkins (@BBCRosAtkins) April 26, 2012— Ros Atkins (@BBCRosAtkins) April 26, 2012
10.45am: Tamasin Ford has finally encountered someone in Monrovia hoping Taylor is found convicted:10.45am: Tamasin Ford has finally encountered someone in Monrovia hoping Taylor is found convicted:
One man says, "If Charles Taylor is found guilty today, it's a victory for human rights," – the first voice speaking out against the former president I've heard this morning.One man says, "If Charles Taylor is found guilty today, it's a victory for human rights," – the first voice speaking out against the former president I've heard this morning.
10.43am: Owen Bowcott sends this:10.43am: Owen Bowcott sends this:
Judge says Taylor told RUF commanders to seize and hold the diamond producing areas of Sierra Leone in order that he could continue trading gems for arms and ammunition.Judge says Taylor told RUF commanders to seize and hold the diamond producing areas of Sierra Leone in order that he could continue trading gems for arms and ammunition.
10.38am: Above is a screengrab showing Taylor listening to the verdict in The Hague. 10.38am: Below is a screengrab showing Taylor listening to the verdict in The Hague.
10.33am: In Monrovia, Tamasin Ford is encountering support for Taylor:10.33am: In Monrovia, Tamasin Ford is encountering support for Taylor:
People are gathering in Monrovia to listen to the verdict. One man on a street has posters denouncing the UN as evil. As Taylor's face is seen on the TV feed there is cheering. Someone shouts, "Let Taylor be free!"People are gathering in Monrovia to listen to the verdict. One man on a street has posters denouncing the UN as evil. As Taylor's face is seen on the TV feed there is cheering. Someone shouts, "Let Taylor be free!"
One man tells me he's "too happy, because my papay (Taylor) will be free today". As Taylor's face is seen again, another shouts, to cheers: "He's the only God-fearing president we've got."One man tells me he's "too happy, because my papay (Taylor) will be free today". As Taylor's face is seen again, another shouts, to cheers: "He's the only God-fearing president we've got."
10.29am: Owen Bowcott in The Hague has been listening in more detail to the details of atrocities currently being read out at such length. They are chilling:10.29am: Owen Bowcott in The Hague has been listening in more detail to the details of atrocities currently being read out at such length. They are chilling:
Judge Lussick says more than a 1,000 children had the letters 'RUF'
/>carved into their backs to prevent them escaping. Children were used
/>to amputate limbs, guard diamond mines and hunt for food. Some were
/>involved in fighting.		 Judge Lussick says more than a 1,000 children had the letters 'RUF' carved into their backs to prevent them escaping. Children were used to amputate limbs, guard diamond mines and hunt for food. Some were involved in fighting.
The trial chamber has found that all the crimes in the 11 charges were
/>committed by the RUF and other rebel paramilitary groups in Sierra
/>Leone between 1996 and 2002. These include recruitment of child
/>soldiers, looting conflict ("blood") diamonds, terrorising civilian
/>populations, murder, rape, sexual slavery and mutilations.		 The trial chamber has found that all the crimes in the 11 charges were committed by the RUF and other rebel paramilitary groups in Sierra Leone between 1996 and 2002. These include recruitment of child soldiers, looting conflict ("blood") diamonds, terrorising civilian populations, murder, rape, sexual slavery and mutilations.
We are now waiting to hear what role Taylor is deemed to have had in
/>these atrocities.		 We are now waiting to hear what role Taylor is deemed to have had in these atrocities.
10.23am: Monica Mark in Freetown has sent the following from the part of the special court for Sierra Leone based there:10.23am: Monica Mark in Freetown has sent the following from the part of the special court for Sierra Leone based there:
There has been a steady trickle of people coming to the court from all different backgrounds - amputee victims, youths with their parents, business people. There is a sense of tension, expectation in the court. Jarka Alhaji, a former bank official who lost both arms and used savings to travel to The Hague, said: "I am feeling high. I will be disappointed if he gets anything less than 100 years. I still feel anger each time I want to do something simple that I can't without help."There has been a steady trickle of people coming to the court from all different backgrounds - amputee victims, youths with their parents, business people. There is a sense of tension, expectation in the court. Jarka Alhaji, a former bank official who lost both arms and used savings to travel to The Hague, said: "I am feeling high. I will be disappointed if he gets anything less than 100 years. I still feel anger each time I want to do something simple that I can't without help."
Daphne Preston, a 16-year-old YMCA member in a blue skirt, shirt and beret, said: "I feel happy because it's a first opportunity for everyone to know the truth our parents have always talked about. It's up to the court to decide what happens to him but we have faith."Daphne Preston, a 16-year-old YMCA member in a blue skirt, shirt and beret, said: "I feel happy because it's a first opportunity for everyone to know the truth our parents have always talked about. It's up to the court to decide what happens to him but we have faith."
10.18am: As you can hear if you listen to the feed of the ruling the judge, Richard Lussick, is reading out a long list of offences committed in Sierra Leone, and the tribunal's conclusion, in the main, that these did take place as described. No word yet on Taylor's responsibility or otherwise.10.18am: As you can hear if you listen to the feed of the ruling the judge, Richard Lussick, is reading out a long list of offences committed in Sierra Leone, and the tribunal's conclusion, in the main, that these did take place as described. No word yet on Taylor's responsibility or otherwise.
10.12am: As you can see from the live feed, the ruling has begun. Owen writes:10.12am: As you can see from the live feed, the ruling has begun. Owen writes:
Judge Richard Lussick of Samoa has begun reading the judgment. Taylor is sitting in dock wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie as well as his trademark tinted glasses. He has a neat, greying goatee beard and moustache.Judge Richard Lussick of Samoa has begun reading the judgment. Taylor is sitting in dock wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie as well as his trademark tinted glasses. He has a neat, greying goatee beard and moustache.
10.11am: The Sierra Leone tribunal web page has links to a live feed of the verdict.10.11am: The Sierra Leone tribunal web page has links to a live feed of the verdict.
10.04am: Below is part of an article sent to the Guardian by Messeh Kamara, a 25-year-old peace campaigner and law student in Sierra Leone, about how Taylor and his rebels affected the country. It's worth quoting at some length. Today's verdict is, Kamara argues, "a historic moment for the children of Sierra Leone and across the world":10.04am: Below is part of an article sent to the Guardian by Messeh Kamara, a 25-year-old peace campaigner and law student in Sierra Leone, about how Taylor and his rebels affected the country. It's worth quoting at some length. Today's verdict is, Kamara argues, "a historic moment for the children of Sierra Leone and across the world":
Children will live with the long-lasting impact of the war for the rest of their lives. The recruitment and use of children to fight wars is criminal. It is a war crime and a crime against humanity. In Sierra Leone, the war shattered the lives of my generation. It is not possible to replace 10 years of a lost childhood but what children lost in the war – education, health, protection – must be restored to the extent possible.Children will live with the long-lasting impact of the war for the rest of their lives. The recruitment and use of children to fight wars is criminal. It is a war crime and a crime against humanity. In Sierra Leone, the war shattered the lives of my generation. It is not possible to replace 10 years of a lost childhood but what children lost in the war – education, health, protection – must be restored to the extent possible.
When I was 11 years old, I was separated from my parents. I spent
/>months hiding in the bush and moving from village to village to escape the rebels. I lost everything including my parents in a war I did not cause to happened, but I suffered the most.		 When I was 11 years old, I was separated from my parents. I spent months hiding in the bush and moving from village to village to escape the rebels. I lost everything including my parents in a war I did not cause to happened, but I suffered the most.
During the 10-year conflict, children had no rights. Children could not go to school, children had no access to doctors, children were victims of abuses and violations, and children had no access to justice. Children were used and abused by those who should have been protecting them....During the 10-year conflict, children had no rights. Children could not go to school, children had no access to doctors, children were victims of abuses and violations, and children had no access to justice. Children were used and abused by those who should have been protecting them....
Many children in Sierra Leone are orphaned and left with deep emotional scars and trauma from direct exposure to violence, rape, displacement,
/>poverty and the loss of loved ones. These coupled with the difficulty in accessing health and education services and a weak social structure to protect children have had a terrible impact on the lives of children....		 Many children in Sierra Leone are orphaned and left with deep emotional scars and trauma from direct exposure to violence, rape, displacement, poverty and the loss of loved ones. These coupled with the difficulty in accessing health and education services and a weak social structure to protect children have had a terrible impact on the lives of children....
There is a great responsibility now to make sure that Sierra Leone's
/>future is not defined by the negative impact of the war and that the questions of child rights, democracy, justice and ending impunity are addressed fairly and fully. That rule of law is a significant contributor to that agenda. If perpetrators are not prosecuted it is harder to rebuild our country and restore
/>respect for the rule of law.		 There is a great responsibility now to make sure that Sierra Leone's future is not defined by the negative impact of the war and that the questions of child rights, democracy, justice and ending impunity are addressed fairly and fully. That rule of law is a significant contributor to that agenda. If perpetrators are not prosecuted it is harder to rebuild our country and restore respect for the rule of law.
10.02am: Owen in The Hague has emailed through this quick update:10.02am: Owen in The Hague has emailed through this quick update:
Despite reports that he would not be able to attend the verdict due to other professional commitments, Taylor's lead counsel, Courtenay Griffiths QC, is in court to represent his client Despite reports that he would not be able to attend the verdict due to other professional commitments, Taylor's lead counsel, Courtenay Griffiths QC, is in court to represent his client.
9.58am: From the Human Rights Watch Q&A I just mentioned, this is a useful run-through of the charges faced by Taylor, and the legal justifications for his trial:9.58am: From the Human Rights Watch Q&A I just mentioned, this is a useful run-through of the charges faced by Taylor, and the legal justifications for his trial:
• Five counts of war crimes: terrorizing civilians, murder, outrages on personal dignity, cruel treatment, and looting;
• Five counts of crimes against humanity: murder, rape, sexual slavery, mutilating and beating, and enslavement; and
• One count of other serious violations of international humanitarian law: recruiting and using child soldiers.

The indictment cites a multitude of locations where crimes were committed in Sierra Leone, covering 6 of Sierra Leone's 13 districts. The indictment alleges that Taylor can be held individually criminally responsible for the crimes based on three legal principles:		 • Five counts of war crimes: terrorising civilians, murder, outrages on personal dignity, cruel treatment, and looting;
• Five counts of crimes against humanity: murder, rape, sexual slavery, mutilating and beating, and enslavement; and
• One count of other serious violations of international humanitarian law: recruiting and using child soldiers.

The indictment cites a multitude of locations where crimes were committed in Sierra Leone, covering six of Sierra Leone's 13 districts. The indictment alleges that Taylor can be held individually criminally responsible for the crimes based on three legal principles:
• Individual criminal responsibility: Taylor planned, instigated, ordered, committed, or aided and abetted planning, preparation, and execution of the alleged crimes.
• Joint criminal enterprise: Taylor participated in a common plan, design, or purpose that consisted of or involved the commission of the alleged crimes, or those crimes were reasonably foreseeable consequences of the common plan, design, or purpose.
• Command responsibility: Taylor held positions of superior responsibility and exercised command and control over subordinate members of the Revolutionary United Front(RUF), RUF/Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) alliance, and Liberian fighters. Taylor knew or had reason to know that subordinates, responsible to him, were about to commit the alleged crimes or had done so and he failed to take necessary and reasonable measures to prevent such acts or punish those responsible.		• Individual criminal responsibility: Taylor planned, instigated, ordered, committed, or aided and abetted planning, preparation, and execution of the alleged crimes.
• Joint criminal enterprise: Taylor participated in a common plan, design, or purpose that consisted of or involved the commission of the alleged crimes, or those crimes were reasonably foreseeable consequences of the common plan, design, or purpose.
• Command responsibility: Taylor held positions of superior responsibility and exercised command and control over subordinate members of the Revolutionary United Front(RUF), RUF/Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) alliance, and Liberian fighters. Taylor knew or had reason to know that subordinates, responsible to him, were about to commit the alleged crimes or had done so and he failed to take necessary and reasonable measures to prevent such acts or punish those responsible.
9.53am: We're now running a background story by Owen Bowcott on the trial, and the unlikely testimony of Campbell and Farrow.9.53am: We're now running a background story by Owen Bowcott on the trial, and the unlikely testimony of Campbell and Farrow.
The US-based Human Rights Watch group have also put together an exhaustive Q&A on the issue, and a chronology of events leading to today.The US-based Human Rights Watch group have also put together an exhaustive Q&A on the issue, and a chronology of events leading to today.
9.49am: Tamasin Ford, out and about in Monrovia, has sent in a couple of brief missives. She writes:9.49am: Tamasin Ford, out and about in Monrovia, has sent in a couple of brief missives. She writes:
Most callers in Liberian radio stations are declaring Taylor's innocence, angry he's on trial for another country's war.Most callers in Liberian radio stations are declaring Taylor's innocence, angry he's on trial for another country's war.
The thousands of UN agency staff and foreign NGO staff in the country have been told to work from home today, in case the verdict sparks trouble.The thousands of UN agency staff and foreign NGO staff in the country have been told to work from home today, in case the verdict sparks trouble.
9.45am: In the above video Charles Taylor's former wife, Jewel Taylor, now a Liberian state senator, defends him. 9.45am: In the video below Charles Taylor's former wife, Jewel Taylor, now a Liberian state senator, defends him.
9.42am: Some quick background reading before the verdict – which is rumoured to be very, very long – begins. First is this morning's story, which also explains how, under the international agreement about the trial, Taylor could serve any eventual sentence in a UK prison.9.42am: Some quick background reading before the verdict – which is rumoured to be very, very long – begins. First is this morning's story, which also explains how, under the international agreement about the trial, Taylor could serve any eventual sentence in a UK prison.
And here, Tamasin Ford and Rachel Stevenson talk to people who suffered at the hands of Taylor's notorious Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels.And here, Tamasin Ford and Rachel Stevenson talk to people who suffered at the hands of Taylor's notorious Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels.
9.40am: If you're unfamiliar with the Taylor case, it can seem initially odd that a former Liberian president is being tried solely for alleged offences in Sierra Leone. The short answer is that it was Sierra Leone which, following the end of its civil war, asked the UN to assist the country in setting up a part-international, part-national tribunal to try those accused of the most serious offences, which included Taylor.9.40am: If you're unfamiliar with the Taylor case, it can seem initially odd that a former Liberian president is being tried solely for alleged offences in Sierra Leone. The short answer is that it was Sierra Leone which, following the end of its civil war, asked the UN to assist the country in setting up a part-international, part-national tribunal to try those accused of the most serious offences, which included Taylor.
In contrast, Liberia has thus far made no similar efforts to prosecute those involved in such offences during Taylor's presidency.In contrast, Liberia has thus far made no similar efforts to prosecute those involved in such offences during Taylor's presidency.
It's worth also noting that the long trial has, for the most part, received little coverage in the European and US media. The big exception came in August 2010, when first the model Naomi Campbell and then the actor-turned campaigner Mia Farrow gave evidence connected to one of the charges against Taylor, his alleged involvement in the trade in "blood diamonds". Campbell was alleged to have been given conflict diamonds by Taylor.It's worth also noting that the long trial has, for the most part, received little coverage in the European and US media. The big exception came in August 2010, when first the model Naomi Campbell and then the actor-turned campaigner Mia Farrow gave evidence connected to one of the charges against Taylor, his alleged involvement in the trade in "blood diamonds". Campbell was alleged to have been given conflict diamonds by Taylor.
9.35am: Soon after 11am Dutch time (10am BST), judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone will give their verdict on whether Charles Taylor, who served as Liberia's president from 1997 to 2003, is guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity and a range of other offences, among them the use of child soldiers.9.35am: Soon after 11am Dutch time (10am BST), judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone will give their verdict on whether Charles Taylor, who served as Liberia's president from 1997 to 2003, is guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity and a range of other offences, among them the use of child soldiers.
This is a landmark moment for West Africa, where Taylor's activities as both a president and a rebel warlord spread violence and chaos through not only his own country and Sierra Leone, but into Liberia, Guinea, and Ivoty Coast. This is a landmark moment for west Africa, where Taylor's activities as both a president and a rebel warlord spread violence and chaos through not only his own country and Sierra Leone, but into Guinea and Ivory Coast.
It is also, whatever the verdict, a hugely significant moment in the international criminal process. Taylor is, depending which interpretation you take, either the first former head of state to face war crimes charges in an international, or part-international, tribunal, or at least the first since the post-World War II Nuremberg hearings convicted Karl Doenitz, who briefly led Germany following Hilter's suicide. It is also, whatever the verdict, a hugely significant moment in the international criminal process. Taylor is, depending which interpretation you take, either the first former head of state to face war crimes charges in an international, or part-international, tribunal, or at least the first since the post-second world war Nuremberg hearings convicted Karl Doenitz, who briefly led Germany following Hitler's suicide.
My colleague, Owen Bowcott, is in The Hague to hear the conclusion of the near five-year trial. We'll also be getting reaction from Liberia and Sierra Leone.My colleague, Owen Bowcott, is in The Hague to hear the conclusion of the near five-year trial. We'll also be getting reaction from Liberia and Sierra Leone.