Former Liberian president Taylor’s chief lawyer visits South Africa
By Nangayi Guyson – Johannesburg – Former Liberian President Charles Taylor’s chief lawyer representing him at his war crimes trial is visiting South Africa. A defence team spokesperson said on Thursday
Charles Taylor
Courtenay Griffiths is in Johannesburg but gave no further details has been given but sources say, Griffiths had expressed interest in meeting officials around Africa, possibly to testify at Taylor’s Netherlands-based trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Taylor says he is innocent of 11 war-crimes charges linked to allegations he supported rebels during Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war, which ended in 2002 with an estimated 100 000 dead.
In August, supermodel Naomi Campbell told the court Taylor gave her several diamonds in South Africa in 1997. Taylor has denied involvement in the diamond trade.
