Judges at the United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone have delayed the war-crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor until August 20 so a new defence team has time to prepare, a court spokesperson said on Monday.
Taylor, who is charged with directing atrocities in Sierra Leone and instigating murder, rape and mutilation in a quest for the country’s diamonds, has boycotted his trial since it began in June, saying he has inadequate funds to mount a proper defence.
Last week Judge Julia Sebutinde ordered the court to ensure Taylor had another four people on his defence team, including a lead counsel, by July 31, in the interests of securing a fair trial.
Taylor, who has failed to appear in court since June, sacked his lawyer as his trial opened, initially saying he wanted to defend himself, although he has since changed his mind and is demanding a top-calibre lawyer.
Witness testimony had been due to start this week after Judge Sebutinde last week ordered an interim defence counsel to represent Taylor, but in a joint motion both the prosecutor and the defence team urged the trial to be postponed.
Judges will explain their ruling when the court meets on Tuesday.
Taylor has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the 1991 to 2002 civil war, which killed an estimated 50 000 people.
Prosecutors hope the trial will send a signal that international justice can operate efficiently and fairly as well as target the world’s most powerful individuals. But some observers fear Taylor is intent on disrupting proceedings. — Reuters