ICC – Charles Taylor’s Trial is to Resume on July 3

As we reported earlier, Charles Taylor, former Liberian President, boycotted the opening of his trial that started on Monday, June 4. On June 25 Mr. Taylor did not show up to the resumption of his trial held in the Netherlands.^[1] Judge adjourned the case until July 3rd due to the absence of the defendant and the absence of a defense attorney.^[2] Prosecutors are to put up their first witness during this week of hearings.^[3] Judge Julia Sebutinde ordered an interim defense lawyer to show up to those hearings.^[4] By August 20 a new defense team, including a new principal attorney, must be in place.^[5]

Special Court’s principal defender Vincent Nmehielle, who is responsible to ensure that Mr. Taylor is provided with adequate defense, announced to the court on Monday that the defendant called to say that he would not be in court for the reasons known to the tribunal.^[6] The judge responded that the court had not officially been informed why Mr. Taylor was not in court.^[7]

Mr. Nmehielle reported to the court that Mr. Taylor demanded a better defense laywer.^[8] Mr. Taylor requested a top lawyer from Britain or another Commonwealth country, supported by “international investigators” of “Scotland Yard or CIA caliber.”^[9] Mr. Taylor has been provided with the list of legal aid lawyers available to him due to the lack of any financial resources, but neither appeared suitable to the defendant.^[10] Special prosecutor Brenda Hollis said that the judges should undo Taylor’s discharge of his private lawyer Karim Khan.^[11] She also suggested that the court orders Mr. Taylor to be present in court since there was no right to be absent for the suspect.^[12]

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[1] Taylor Boycotting Own War Crimes Trial, United Press International Press Release, June 25, 2007.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Taylor Again Fails to Show up in Court, Africa Reports Press Release, The Hague, June 25, 2007.
[7] See United Press International Press Release, supra note 1.
[8] Taylor Trial Suspended After Defendant Stays Away Once Again, EarthTimes.org Press Release, June 25, 2007.
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Id.