Ex-Liberian President Makes First Appearance at War Crimes Tribunal
21 July 2006
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor has made his first appearance before a war crimes tribunal hearing his case at The Hague.
Taylor did not speak to the judges during Friday's procedural hearing. His lawyer complained about the conditions of his imprisonment, saying Taylor did not like the food and could not make as many phone calls as he would like.
The former warlord faces 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his alleged backing of Sierra Leone rebels during that country's bloody civil war. The rebels are accused of widespread atrocities, including raping and mutilating civilians.
Taylor's case will be heard by the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone. The court had Taylor moved to The Hague last month because of fears his presence in Sierra Leone would stir new unrest in the West African country.
Taylor was arrested in March after he was caught trying to flee Nigeria, where he had lived in exile for three years.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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