Convicted former interim leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel group, Issa Hassan Sesay this week concluded his testimony as Charles Taylor 19th defense witness, during which he not only apologised to the people of Sierra Leone for his role in the Sierra Leonean conflict, but also told Special Court for Sierra Leone judges [...]
August
28
2010
As Issa Sesay Concludes His Testimony, Liberian Radio Operator Takes The Witness Stand
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August
20
2010
Issa Sesay Distances Charles Taylor From The Creation Of The RUF, Says Taylor Did Not Promote RUF Commander To General
As his cross-examination moved into a second week, Charles Taylor’s 19th defense witness, Issa Hassan Sesay, this week distanced the former Liberian president from the creation of the rebel group that waged a bloody civil war in Sierra Leone from 1991 to 2002. Mr. Sesay also denied allegations that it was Mr. Taylor who promoted a [...]
August
14
2010
Mia Farrow and Carole White Contradict Naomi Campbell’s Testimony, Issa Sesay’s Cross-Examination Begins
The much anticipated testimonies of three celebrity witnesses were concluded this week with Hollywood actress Mia Farrow and modeling agent Carole White both contradicting the evidence of supermodel Naomi Campbell about allegations that Charles Taylor gave the supermodel rough diamonds in South Africa in 1997. This week also saw the conclusion of the direct examination [...]
August
7
2010
Naomi Campbell Testifies In The Hague, Issa Sesay Accuses RUF Fighters Of Framing Stories Against Charles Taylor
Supermodel Naomi Campbell testified this week before the Special Court for Sierra Leone judges in The Hague about allegations that she received a gift of blood diamonds from former Liberian President Charles Taylor while they were both present in South Africa in 1997. Also this week, Issa Hassan Sesay, the former convicted interim leader of the Revolutionary United Front [...]
As the trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor resumed this week, the convicted former interim leader of the Sierra Leonean rebel group which Mr. Taylor is accused of supporting continued distancing Mr. Taylor from the activities of his rebel group during Sierra Leone’s bloody civil conflict that lasted from 1991 to 2002. Issa Hassan Sesay, [...]
In his second week on the witness stand, a former Sierra Leonean rebel leader convicted of mass crimes during Sierra Leone’s brutal 11-year conflict pointed away from Mr. Taylor when speaking about support provided to his forces by outsiders. This week, the witness said that the Ivorian government helped his rebel group much more than [...]
July
10
2010
RUF Leader Testifies: Says Taylor Neither Supported Rebels, Nor Receive Diamonds From Them
A former Sierra Leonean rebel leader – released from his jail cell in Rwanda to testify on behalf of Charles Taylor – this week distanced the activities of his rebels from the former Liberian President. Mr. Taylor did not control the rebels’ actions, receive diamonds from them, nor provide assistance to them during Sierra Leone’s bloody civil conflict, he [...]
British supermodel Naomi Campbell is to be served a subpoena and compelled to testify on July 29 in the trial of Charles Taylor about an alleged diamond gift she received from the former Liberian president in South Africa in 1997, Special Court for Sierra Leone judges ruled this week. The subpoena was issued after judges [...]
A Sierra Leonean business woman who helped in recruiting fighters to invade Sierra Leone in 1991 this week concluded her testimony as Charles Taylor’s 18th witness, telling Special Court for Sierra Leone judges about her support and loyalty to the Sierra Leonean rebel leader and denying prosecution claims that she was not only supportive and [...]
A Sierra Leonean woman who helped top Sierra Leonean rebels in recruiting and training fighters in Liberia this week told Special Court for Sierra Leone that as far as she knew, Charles Taylor’s name was never mentioned as one of those helping to recruit and train rebels to invade Sierra Leone in 1991. The witness also [...]
