Charles Taylor trial suspended after boycotting

Charles Taylor trial suspended after boycotting

The war crimes trial of former Liberian leader Charles Taylor has been adjourned until Friday after he did not attend the court in The Hague.

He and his lawyer withdrew from the proceedings on Tuesday during closing arguments of the trial.

The prosecution has finished its oral presentation and the defense was to begin its case.

Taylor refuses to fuel the civil war in Sierra Leone in late 1990 by arming the rebels.

He is charged with 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The trial began in June 2007, when Mr. Taylor boycotted the opening, arguing that it would have a fair trial. The verdict is expected later this year.
Challenging

When proceedings resumed on Wednesday morning, the president said he had received a document stating that Mr. Taylor had waived his right to be in court, confirming that there was no medical problem involved.

Mr. Taylor's lawyer Courtenay Griffiths not to make an appearance.

He had left in anger on Tuesday after the court refused to accept his written closing argument to the court 20 days after the deadline.
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I have no interest in extending this process out, neither Mr. Taylor - the man has been detained for almost six years and wants a decision on their fate "

End quote lawyer Courtenay Griffiths, Charles Taylor

Mr. Griffiths has told the BBC he has no intention to be in court again if the judges refuse to accept his brief final essay.

"If the appeals court of the view that the judges acted perfectly reasonable to refuse to accept our final argument, then indeed I have no other role in this process," he told the BBC Network Africa program.

He denied that this was a delaying tactic.

"I have no interest in extending this process out, neither Mr. Taylor - the man has been detained for almost six years and wants a decision on their fate," he said.

Despite his absence, the court continued to hear the arguments of the prosecution's closing on Tuesday.

The prosecution says Mr. Taylor, President of Liberia 1997-2003, armed and controlled by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) during a 10-year campaign of terror against civilians carried out by far.

The RUF became notorious for cutting off the limbs of their victims, and the use of rape and murder to terrorize the population.