Last Updated: Friday, 19 May 2023, 07:24 GMT

Former Liberian president Taylor sentenced to 50 years

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 30 May 2012
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Former Liberian president Taylor sentenced to 50 years, 30 May 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fcf5f34c.html [accessed 21 May 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

May 30, 2012

A UN-backed court has sentenced former Liberian President Charles Taylor to 50 years in prison following his conviction for war crimes in connection with the conflict in neighboring Sierra Leone.

The Special Court for Sierra Leone found Taylor guilty last month on 11 charges of aiding and abetting rebels who went on a bloody rampage during the decade-long Sierra Leone war that ended in 2002 with more than 50,000 dead.

Presiding Judge Richard Lussick said Taylor's crimes were of the "utmost gravity in terms of scale and brutality."

Taylor, who denies wrongdoing, is expected to appeal.

The 64-year-old warlord-turned-president is the first former head of state convicted by an international war crimes court since World War II.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

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