This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18259596#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Liberia ex-President Charles Taylor to be sentenced Liberia ex-President Charles Taylor to be sentenced
(about 1 hour later)
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is to be sentenced for war crimes by a UN court in The Hague. Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is being sentenced for war crimes by a UN court in The Hague.
Last month Taylor was found guilty of aiding and abetting rebels in Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 civil war.Last month Taylor was found guilty of aiding and abetting rebels in Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 civil war.
The prosecution at the Special Court for Sierra Leone is now pressing for an 80-year prison term, which the defence says is excessive.The prosecution at the Special Court for Sierra Leone is now pressing for an 80-year prison term, which the defence says is excessive.
Taylor, 64, insists he is innocent and is likely to appeal whatever the sentence is, correspondents say.Taylor, 64, insists he is innocent and is likely to appeal whatever the sentence is, correspondents say.
The appeal process could last up to six months, the BBC's Anna Holligan in The Hague reports.The appeal process could last up to six months, the BBC's Anna Holligan in The Hague reports.
'Savage crimes''Savage crimes'
Judge Richard Lussick has started to read out his sentencing judgement.
In its landmark ruling in April, the Special Court for Sierra Leone found Taylor guilty on 11 counts, relating to atrocities that included rape and murder.In its landmark ruling in April, the Special Court for Sierra Leone found Taylor guilty on 11 counts, relating to atrocities that included rape and murder.
He became the first former head of state to be convicted of war crimes by an international court since the Nuremburg trials of Nazis after World War II.He became the first former head of state to be convicted of war crimes by an international court since the Nuremburg trials of Nazis after World War II.
In response, Taylor accused the prosecution of paying and threatening witnesses in his war crimes trial.In response, Taylor accused the prosecution of paying and threatening witnesses in his war crimes trial.
He also told the judges to consider his age when making their decision, saying he was "no threat to society".He also told the judges to consider his age when making their decision, saying he was "no threat to society".
And he condemned atrocities across the world, and had the "deepest sympathy" for victims in Sierra Leone, but stopped short of expressing remorse or apologising for his part in the conflict.And he condemned atrocities across the world, and had the "deepest sympathy" for victims in Sierra Leone, but stopped short of expressing remorse or apologising for his part in the conflict.
The prosecutors have said that Taylor's ill health and age, or the fact that he has a family, should have no impact on the sentence.The prosecutors have said that Taylor's ill health and age, or the fact that he has a family, should have no impact on the sentence.
In written filings, prosecutors said a sentence of 80 years would reflect the severity of the crimes and the central role that Taylor had in facilitating them.In written filings, prosecutors said a sentence of 80 years would reflect the severity of the crimes and the central role that Taylor had in facilitating them.
"The purposely cruel and savage crimes committed included public executions and amputations of civilians, the display of decapitated heads at checkpoints... public rapes of women and girls, and people burned alive in their homes," wrote prosecutor Brenda Hollis."The purposely cruel and savage crimes committed included public executions and amputations of civilians, the display of decapitated heads at checkpoints... public rapes of women and girls, and people burned alive in their homes," wrote prosecutor Brenda Hollis.
But defence lawyers said the recommended sentence was "manifestly disproportionate and excessive", and that Taylor had only been found guilty of an indirect role - aiding the rebels, rather than leading them.But defence lawyers said the recommended sentence was "manifestly disproportionate and excessive", and that Taylor had only been found guilty of an indirect role - aiding the rebels, rather than leading them.
They said their client should not be made to shoulder the blame alone for what happened in Sierra Leone's war.They said their client should not be made to shoulder the blame alone for what happened in Sierra Leone's war.
The court should not support "attempts by the prosecution to provide the Sierra Leoneans with this external bogey man upon whom can be heaped the collective guilt of a nation for its predominantly self-inflicted wounds", his lawyers wrote.The court should not support "attempts by the prosecution to provide the Sierra Leoneans with this external bogey man upon whom can be heaped the collective guilt of a nation for its predominantly self-inflicted wounds", his lawyers wrote.
During the Sierra Leone civil war, Taylor supported Revolutionary United Front rebels who killed tens of thousands of people.During the Sierra Leone civil war, Taylor supported Revolutionary United Front rebels who killed tens of thousands of people.
The war crimes included murder, rape, the use of child soldiers and the amputation of limbs.The war crimes included murder, rape, the use of child soldiers and the amputation of limbs.
Taylor was accused of channelling weapons to them in return for "blood diamonds" but the judge said the prosecution had failed to prove their case that he had been one of the RUF leaders.Taylor was accused of channelling weapons to them in return for "blood diamonds" but the judge said the prosecution had failed to prove their case that he had been one of the RUF leaders.
The case is being heard in The Hague for fear that a trial in Sierra Leone could destabilise the region. The Dutch government only agreed if Taylor would serve any sentence in another country, so he will serve any prison term in the UK.The case is being heard in The Hague for fear that a trial in Sierra Leone could destabilise the region. The Dutch government only agreed if Taylor would serve any sentence in another country, so he will serve any prison term in the UK.