RUF Did Not Commit Highest Crime â€¦.Taylor Defence Witness

The Defence Liberian Witness testifying in Mr. Charles Taylorâ€™s case under anonymity has denied a Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission report that the RUF committed the highest number of violations ranging from rape to forced labour against civilians in 1991. Continuing his cross-examination on Thursday the witness also denied that the RUF used child soldiers.

A Sierra Leonean TRC report read in court Thursday stated that the RUF which Mr. Charles Taylor allegedly supported was the most notorious group among all the factions in the Sierra Leone civil war.

Former Liberian President, Charles Taylor is accused of committing sexual slavery, rape, forced labour among others against the civilian population of Sierra Leone.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

The TRC reported that the RUF committed over thousand violations of rape, destructions of property, forced labour, sexual slavery among others in the Sierra Leonean District of Kailahun alone in 1991.

But the Defence witness testified that Former RUF Leader, Foday Sankoh forewarned the RUF fighters about the crimes mentioned in the TRC report.

The recruitment of child soldiers is one of the counts against Former Liberian President, Charles Taylor. The Prosecution stated in its indictment that the RUF which Mr. Taylor allegedly supported, recruited children less than 15 years.

But the Liberian witness testifying in defence of Mr. Taylor said none of the RUF fighters were below 17 years.

At the time of this report the court had gone into private session to hear evidence that might expose the identity of the witness.

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