| Former Liberian President Charles Taylor has | | | | However, the presiding judge, Justice Richard |
| made his first appearance before Sierra Leone's | | | | Lussick, refused to accept Taylor's protests. |
| special war crimes court. Joe Bavier was at the | | | | "Until such time as your initial appearance is |
| U.N.-backed court in Freetown and reports for | | | | completed, you do not have the right to bring any |
| VOA that, though finally behind bars, the | | | | motions before this court," he said. |
| ex-warlord remained defiant at the opening of his | | | | But even as he pled not guilty to all 11 charges, |
| long-awaited trial. | | | | Taylor remained calm and defiant. |
| Dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt, and red | | | | "Most definitely, your honor, I did not, and I could |
| tie, Taylor remained calm and expressionless | | | | not have committed these acts against the sister |
| during the reading of the 11 counts against him, a | | | | Republic of Sierra Leone," he said. "I think, this is |
| process that took nearly half-an-hour. | | | | an attempt to continue to divide and rule Liberia |
| The former president of Liberia is facing charges | | | | and Sierra Leone. And so, most definitely, I am |
| of terrorizing civilians, unlawful killings, sexual and | | | | not guilty." |
| physical violence, and using child soldiers among | | | | After only an hour in session, Justice Lussick |
| others. The charges stem from his alleged backing | | | | attempted to draw the day's proceedings to a |
| of the notorious Revolutionary United Front rebels | | | | close. But Taylor still had one surprise left for the |
| during Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war. | | | | court. |
| When it was time for Taylor to reply to the | | | | Against expectations, Taylor requested his trial be |
| charges against him, instead of entering a plea, he | | | | held in Freetown. Both Liberia's current president, |
| made a statement. | | | | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and the Special Courts |
| "There's an issue here regarding this court, its | | | | president have requested the trial be moved to |
| right to exercise its jurisdiction over me, as the | | | | The Hague. |
| 21st president of the Republic of Liberia," he said. | | | | |