Sierra Leonean testifies for Taylor

A  Sierra Leonean has taken the witness stand in defence of Charles Taylor, the man who is on trial for allegedly supporting rebels in Sierra Leone. The witness is testifying in open court with partial protective measures; his name and personal data are not disclosed. He said Former RUF Leader, Foday Sankoh started agitating for multi-party democracy in 1980.

To further conceal his identity, the witness is testifying with a hat stretching from the top of his head to his eyes. According to Defence Lawyer, Terry Munyard  the witness  wants these protective measures  because he is afraid of reprisal when he returns to Sierra Leone.

The witness told the court that he and Former RUF Leader, Foday Sankoh were members of an underground movement called the Study Group in 1980. He said the Study Group agitated for change of what he called the profoundly corrupt system which characterized governance in Sierra Leone.

The witness also said he later joined the RUF in 1992, and took up a position of Civilian Coordinator.

The Sierra Leonean Defence Witness direct examination was the shortest the court has ever seen since Mr. Taylor’s trial commenced.

Defence Lawyer, Terry Munyard questioned the witness for about three hours and ended the direct examination.  Prosecution Lawyer, Nicholas Kumjian started the cross-examination of the witness by asking him about the birth place of the RUF.

The trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor continues in the Hague.

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