According to to the New York Times the former leader of Liberia is on trial for past war crimes. Mr. Taylor, the first former head of of state to appear before an international tribunal, has pleaded not guilty to the 11 charges against him. He is accused of orchestrating atrocities by militias known for off their victims limbs during the country's civil war. his purpose as to gain possession of some of Sierra Leone's diamonds. Prosecuters opened their case with a video of a miner from Sierra Leone, whose hands had been hacked off.
The prosecution suggested that the illicit diamond trade was probaly a source of funds for smuggled weapons. The man who had his hands cut off, also lost his wife and children who were burned to death by the militia. A young boy claimed to have been kidnapped by the militia (RUF) and forced to work as a slave in diamond mines. Mr. Taylor still pleads not guilty.
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