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-24279323
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Charles Taylor appeal verdict due in The Hague | Charles Taylor appeal verdict due in The Hague |
(34 minutes later) | |
A UN-backed special court in The Hague is due to rule on an appeal by former Liberian President Charles Taylor. | A UN-backed special court in The Hague is due to rule on an appeal by former Liberian President Charles Taylor. |
Last May, the court sentenced him to 50 years in prison for aiding and abetting rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 civil war. | Last May, the court sentenced him to 50 years in prison for aiding and abetting rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 civil war. |
He became the first former head of state convicted by an international war crimes court since World War II. | He became the first former head of state convicted by an international war crimes court since World War II. |
His lawyers want him acquitted arguing that legal and factual errors were made during the trial. | His lawyers want him acquitted arguing that legal and factual errors were made during the trial. |
However, the prosecution has sought to increase his sentence to 80 years. | However, the prosecution has sought to increase his sentence to 80 years. |
The BBC's Chris Morris in The Hague says the court's decision will be closely watched because the guilty verdict was hailed as a landmark, proving that even people at the highest level of power can be held to account. | The BBC's Chris Morris in The Hague says the court's decision will be closely watched because the guilty verdict was hailed as a landmark, proving that even people at the highest level of power can be held to account. |
Charles Taylor, 65, was found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes in Sierra Leone, including terrorism, rape, murder and the use of child soldiers. | |
He was also found guilty of planning some of the attacks carried out by rebel groups in neighbouring Sierra Leone during the vicious civil war. | He was also found guilty of planning some of the attacks carried out by rebel groups in neighbouring Sierra Leone during the vicious civil war. |
The former Liberian leader was arrested in 2006 and maintained his innocence throughout the trial. | The former Liberian leader was arrested in 2006 and maintained his innocence throughout the trial. |
If his appeal fails, Charles Taylor will serve his sentence in a foreign jail. The UK has offered to accept him at a British prison - alternative destinations include Sweden or Rwanda. | If his appeal fails, Charles Taylor will serve his sentence in a foreign jail. The UK has offered to accept him at a British prison - alternative destinations include Sweden or Rwanda. |
Our correspondent says it would take about a week to organise his transfer from The Hague. | Our correspondent says it would take about a week to organise his transfer from The Hague. |