Taylor trial resumes with blood-diamond testimony

Diamonds

Save

E-mail

Taylor trial resumes with blood-diamond testimony

January 08, 2008

Similar Stories | Topics

STORIES

WDC: Industry's future rests on ethics, transparency

TOPICS

The Hague, Netherlands—The war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor resumed on Monday after a six-month break, reopening with graphic video testimony from alleged victims of war crimes on West African diamond fields.

According to The Associated Press, prosecutors allege that Taylor, operating from his office in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, orchestrated murders, rapes and amputations in neighboring Sierra Leone during its civil war.

They also allege, according to the AP, that the 59-year-old former African head of state used the profits from "blood diamonds" mined in Sierra Leone and smuggled into Liberia to arm Sierra Leone's rebel force, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

Taylor has pleaded innocent to all 11 counts he faces. Members of his family are leading Taylor supporters who say he was not in control of those who carried out the crimes, the AP reports.

Monday's proceedings include graphic depictions of atrocities committed during Sierra Leone's civil war.

The AP reports that prosecutors have 144 witnesses, but only expect to call half of them to appear; still, the case is expected to take two years.

The trial, being held before an international tribunal, started in June 2007, but adjourned after Taylor boycotted proceedings and fired his attorney.

According to the AP, Taylor is the first former African head of state to face an international tribunal.

Save

E-mail

Diamonds

Industry calling for swift action on Zimbabwe

Jewelers of America is calling on the Kimberley Process to fully and quickly implement a work plan to address the serious concerns surrounding Zimbabwe's non-compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the system designed to keep conflict diamonds out of the international trade, and the reported human rights abuses in the Marange diamond fields. Read More

Sotheby's reports record-breaking sales in Geneva

Diamond symposium focuses on 'new normal'

More Diamonds

More Like This

WDC: Industry's future rests on ethics, transparency

May 10, 2007 | National Jeweler Network

TOPICS

Video

Retailer Toolbar

America's Best Jewelers
Join the ONLY Social Network for Jewelry Retailers. Get access to expert content, peer best practices, and more.
Start networking today.

Newsletters
Topic-specific newsletters that deliver the latest news on jewelry, diamonds, wholesale operations and high-volume buying directly to your in-box.

ReaderConnect
Supplier information presented with every article, bringing you related, actionable content on every topic.

Yellow Pages
A comprehensive listing of associations, organizations, suppliers and services for the jewelry industry.

Classifieds
A comprehensive listing of job postings, product offerings and other materials for sale for the jewelry industry.

CustomerConnect
The most sophisticated suite of marketing services available for jewelry retailers, from Internet tools to data marketing.