Taylor a no-show for war crimes trial in the Hague
Mr Taylor, who is charged with instigating murder, rape and mutilation during Sierra Leone’s civil war in a quest for the country’s diamonds, boycotted the start of his trial in June. He sacked his lawyer and declared the trial would not be fair, adding in a letter he intended to defend himself.
Judge Julia Sebutinde expressed frustration, not only with Mr Taylor but with officials with the UN-backed special tribunal for Sierra Leone: “The accused does not have the option to appear before this court as and when he chooses.”
But she added adequate resources must be provided in the interests of a fair trial and she ordered the court to ensure Mr Taylor had another four people boosting his defence team, including a lead counsel, by July 31.
“We have frowned upon undue delay in this court. That it would come from an institution within this court is really regrettable.”
The court’s principal defender, Vincent Nmehielle, said Mr Taylor also wanted to avoid undue delay, and although he had been persuaded to accept a lawyer rather than defend himself, the court lacked funds to hire the right calibre of lawyer.
Mr Taylor has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the 1991-2002 civil war.
