Taylor Boycotts War Crimes Trial
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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) – Former Liberian President Charles Taylor, accused of orchestrating unspeakable atrocities during neighboring Sierra Leone’s bloody civil war, said Monday he did not believe he would receive a fair trial and boycotted its opening.
In a letter read to the court, Mr. Taylor said he was prevented from seeing his preferred lawyer and that his one court-appointed attorney was outgunned by the extensive prosecution team.
“At one time I had confidence in this court’s ability to dispense justice. Over time, it has become clear that confidence has been misplaced,” Mr. Taylor’s statement said.
His assigned lawyer, Karim Khan, said Mr. Taylor was applying to represent himself. Khan gathered his defense files and left the room.
The court ordered the trial to continue, and Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp began his opening statement.
