Former Liberian President Charles Taylor received a 50 year sentence at the conclusion of his war crimes trial at the Hague. Mr. Taylor was found guilty of aiding and abetting multiple war crimes committed by the rebel group the Revolutionary United Front, including torture, mass killings and organized sexual violence during Sierra Leone’s nearly decade long civil war.
Judge Richard Lussik addressed Taylor saying that “The accused has been found responsible for aiding and abetting some of the most heinous crimes in human history,” adding “the trial chamber noticed that the effects of these crimes on the families and society as a whole in Sierra Leone was devastating.” Lussik provided details of RUF conduct including the cutting of limbs of civilians and slashing open the stomachs of pregnant women. Taylor supported the rebel group with weapons and financing in return for a steady flow of diamonds from mineral-rich Sierra Leone.
Analysts said that the successful prosecution of Taylor was an important step forward for the International Criminal Court. Taylor is the first former head of state to be convicted at an intentional tribunal of war crimes since the end of World War II. The ICC will also be hearing the case of the former President of the Ivory Coast Laurent Gbagbo who is charged with crimes against humanity.
Taylor, who will serve his sentence in the UK, remained impassive during his sentencing.
