The Trial of Charles Taylor

3:00pm: Court resumed after lunch break and the examination of Witness TF1-045, Augustine Sama Mallah continnued in open session. The witness testified about several issues including his return to Sierra Leone from Ivory Coast via Liberia, the AFRC coup and the AFRC/RUF mining activities in Tongo.

Witness’s Trip From Ivory Coast to Sierra Leone

The witness testified that when Sankoh was arrested in Nigeria, he left Ivory Coast and went to Liberia. He said that Mike Lamin with whom he had travelled to Ivory Coast had been arrested there but he was later released and he joined him in Liberia. The witness said that on entering Liberia, Jungle met him together with other people and told them he was on his way to get them out of Ivory Coast. The witness said that together with Jungle, they went to Gbarnga, where they remained until the AFRC coup took place in Sierra Leone. He said that while Jungle was making efforts to get them back to Sierra Leone, he became inpatient and travelled to Monrovia. He said he went to the Freeport in Monrovia, where the Sierra Leonean contingent of ECOMOG was based. The witness said that Mike Lamin met him there and asked to talk to Sam Bockarie. He said that at that time, Bockarie was already in Freetown with the AFRC soldiers. He said that Mike Lamin spoke with Bockarie and he heard their conversation. According to the witness, Bockarie told Mike Lamin that he should travel to Sierra Leone as he wanted him to head a delegation that would move to review the peace agreement signed in Ivory Coast. The witness said that they immediately left for Sierra Leone and met Bockarie in Kenema. The witness said that Bockarie and Mike Lamin travelled to Freetown while he stayed in Kenema. 

AFRC/RUF Mining Activities in Tongo

The witness said that after a few days in Kenema, he travelled to Tongo where he met AFRC and RUF soldiers involved in mining activities. Among the soldiers in Tongo were Capt. Yamao Kati, Sgt. Junior, Capt. Eagle, etc.

The witness said that while in Tongo, he saw civilians used for mining purposes by the AFRC/RUF soldiers. When asked about the treatment metted out to civilians, the witness said that they were treated very badly. He said that some civilians were severely beaten and some were even executed. The witness said that he was also involved in private mining while in Tongo.

He testified that all diamonds over 5 carats were handed over to the PLO 2 based in Tongo, who took them to the Residence Minister East in Kenema, Eddie Kanneh, who in turn took them to Johnny Paul Koroma in Freetown. The witness said that when he travelled to Kenema to sell his own diamonds, he would visit Sam Bockkarie who was based in the town. He said that on those visits to Bockarie in Kenema, he saw Jungle who had travelled from Liberia to see Bockarie in Sierra Leone. He said that Bockarie told him that Jungle was sent by Taylor to collect percels of diamonds.  The witness said that mining activities were also taking place in Kono and that Gullit was in charge there.

Supply of Arms and Ammunition to the AFRC

The witness said that he stayed in Tongo for two months and then travelled to Freetown where he served as senior bodyguard to Mike Lamin.  The witness spoke of a meeting in Freetown where the AFRC Chief of Army Staff informed them that they would receive the first consignment of arms, ammunition and medicines at the Magburaka airstrip. He said that Major Dumbuya was sent to receive the arms, ammunition and medicines at the Magburaka airstrip.

The witness said that Mike Lamin sent him back to Tongo to go and mine diamonds for him there. The witness said that when he returned to Tongo, the mining policy had changed and that the soldiers and rebels were more harsh with civilians.

Court adjourned for the day.

12:00PM: Court resumed after mid-morning break and Witness TF1-045, Augustine Sama Mallah continued his testimony in open session. The witness testified about several issues including the RUF hierarchy, the attack on Sierra Rutile Ltd, the RUF Election Before Peace campaign and Sankoh’s trip to Ivory Coast and his subsequent arrest in Nigeria.

RUF Hierarchy

The witness testified that while Sankoh was the leader of the RUF, Mohamed Tarawalie, aka, Zino was his deputy. He said that Sam Bockarie was next in line as Battle Group Commander while Issa Sesay deputized Bockarie. When Zino later died, he was replaced by Sam Bockarie’s as Sankoh’s deputy.

RUF Attack on Sierra Rutile Ltd.

The witness said that while at Camp Zogoda in 1994, Sankoh sent him, together with other RUF commanders to launch an attack on Sierra Rutile Ltd. According to the witness, other commanders on this mission were Superman, Isaac Mingo and Co. Jalloh. The witness said that Sankoh told them that they should capture Sierra Rutile Ltd, kill civilians and capture the white employees working with the company. He said Sankoh wanted the white employees arrested in order to raise concerns in the international community. He said that they attacked Sierra Rutile Ltd and implemented Sankoh’s orders. The witness said he was at Sierra Rutile for eight months before returning to Zogoda.

Election Before Peace/Peace Before Elections Campaign

The witness testified about the campaigns in 1995/06 for peace before elections or elections before peace. The witness said that Sankoh was contacted by the Sierra Leonean government about peace talks. The witness said Sankoh demanded that all elections were to be suspended until peace was attained. When the government decided to go ahead with elections before peace, the witness said that based on advice from Charles Taylor, Sankoh ordered the rebels to cut off the hands of civilians in order to stop them from voting. The witness said that the order was given to Morris Kallon. The witness said that based on this order, they attacked Kenema and though they were met with resistance from soldiers, they succeeded in entering Kenema, killed civilians and prevented some of them from voting.

Communications Between Sankoh and Taylor

The witness testified that on numerous occassions, Sankoh held discussions with Charles Taylor. The witness estimated that he would be just about 680 centemeters away from Sankoh when these discussions were held at Zogoda. He said that during these discussions, Sankoh would tell Taylor about his health and he would give Taylor updates on RUF operations in Sierra Leone.

Foday Sankoh’s Trip to Ivory Coast for Peace Talks

The witness testified that in 1996, Sankoh travelled to Ivory Coast for peacetalks with the Sierra Leone government. The witness said that while Sankoh was away, Zino was the acting head of the RUF, based at Camp Zogoda. He said that during this time, Sierra Leone soldiers and Kamajors attacked Zogoda and destroyed the camp. The RUF were dislodged from Zogoda and the witness and some others moved to Pujehun. Zino disappeared after this attack and they later discovered that he died.

The witness said that he later joined Mike Lamin and they traveled to Liberia. He said that while in Liberia, Mike Lamin held a meeting with Taylor but he could not say what the details of their discussion were. The witness said they were later given Liberian passes and they travelled to Ivory Coast to meet Sankoh. While in Ivory Coast, the witness said that Sankoh told them he was to travel to Nigeria. He said they accompanied Sankoh to the airport and he departed for Nigeria. The witness said that while in Nigeria, Sankoh was arrested. Immediately after his arrest, the witness said that Fayia Musa went on air and said that sankoh was no longer leader of the RUF.  This, he said did not go down very well in the RUF membership.

Court adjourned for lunch break.

10:00am: Court resumed in open session and prosecution counsel Ms. Brenda Hollis commenced the examination of 82nd Prosecution Witness TF1-045, Augustine Sama Mallah. Prosecution counsel Ms. Hollis applied for protective measures earlir granted to the witness to be rescinded as he was ready to testify in open. Count granted said application. In stating his personal details, the witness said that he was also called SMOG, meaning Save Me O God, a name taken from the African Literature Chick and the River. He said that when he became part of the RUF, the name was cut short as OG.

Witness captured in 1991 by rebels with Liberian accent

The witness testified that he was captured by rebel forces in 1991, while in his hometown in Pujehun, Southern Sierra Leone. He said that among the rebels who captured him were people with Liberian accents, some of whom he mentioned as Benjamin Syl and SK Zoro Coin. He said the rebels told them that Foday Sankoh was the leader of the revolution in Sierra Leone. The witness said that the rebels gathered the people of the village under a court barry, where they took about 50 of them away for training. He said that among those taken away were young boys and girls.  He said that the younger women were tanek away by the rebels as their wives.  The witness said that among those taken away was his sister, who he said later told him that she had been taken away as a wife for the rebels. The witness said that when  he was captured, the rebels took him and many others to a training camp in Gisiru where they were trained in guirilla warfare and the use of arms and ammunition.  For those who resisted the training, the witness said they were severely beaten and for those who tried to escape, they were executed.  After the trainingm, the witness became a Juniour Commando and he remained with the RUF until the end of disarmament in 2002.

Arms and other supplies brought from Liberia and RUF retreat from Sierra Leone to Liberia in 1991/92

The witness testified that in 1991, he saw Foday Sankoh bringing arms, ammunition and medicines from Liberia for use by RUF rebels in Sierra Leone. The witness said that in 1991, he saw Sankoh in Pujehun on three occassions. He said he also saw Sankoh there in 1994. The witness testified about numerous occassions when there were pushed by Sierra Leone Government soldiers from their various strongholds. He said that they retreated into Liberia. He said that while in Liberia, they were taken to Bomi Hills, a place under NPFL control for further training. He said that more than 500 to 600 fighters undertook the training at Bomi Hills in Liberia. He said that at Bomi Hills, they taught them how to operate heavy weapons and the use of land mines. The witness also spoke about attrocities committed by RUF Vanguards in Sierra Leone.

Witness as Commander of the RUF Strike Force

The witness said that when Sankoh established Zogoda as the RUF headquarters, he was transfered there to protect the Mansion Ground. He said that the Srike Force was established to provide protection at camp Zogoda. He said that the Strike Force was responsible for providing security about 2 to 3 miles away from Zogoda. He said that the Strike Force would screen all RUF fighters wanting to go to Zogoda and that civilians who were discovered within the vicinity were killed. Sankoh made the witness Commander of the Strike Force. He said that while he occupied this position, he reported directly  to Sankoh.

Court adjourned for mid-morning break.

Friday November 7, 2008.

10:00 a.m.: Court resumed in open session and after representations were announced, Lead Defence Counsel Courtenay Griffiths informed the Court that he had a serious matter to raise before the Court. He stated that some serious allegations have been made against his Co-Defence Counsel Terry Munyard which might need to be discussed in private session. Prosecution Counsel Brenda Hollis had no objection to the Court going into private session.

Court went into private session.

When Court resumed in open session, Presiding Judge Teresa Doherty informed the Court that based on arguments heard in private session, the chamber had a ruling to make. She stated the following:

• That arguements on the said issue were heard yesterday
• That Mr. Munyard was withdrawing from the case for reasons of professional ethics
• That since another counsel will have to take carriage of the witness listed to testify today, that counsel will require more time to prepare for the cross-examination of the witness
• That because of this, the Court will be adjourned until Wednesday November 12, 2008.

Defence Counsel Griffiths informed the Court that he had two more issues to raise:

1. That a friend referred to by the previous witness in his testimony yesterday should be identified, and

2. Now that the witness will not commence cross-examination until November 24, it is wise that all calls made to and by the witness be monitored.

Prosecution Counsel Hollis responded that:

1. What is the basis for monitoring the witness’s calls and how will such calls be monitored once the witness leaves The Hague? and

2. That no one should independently try to contact the friend as that might have security implications for the witness.

She also stated that if the Defence wants to make an application for this, they should do so by written motion.

Presiding Justice Doherty agreed with the Prosecution on this. Defence counsel Griffiths stated that it will be wrong if the witness will have to leave The Hague prior to his cross-examination. The presiding judge noted the obeservation.

Court adjourned until Wednesday November 12, 2008.

3:00pm: Court resumed after lunch break and prosecution counsel Nicholas Koumjian continued the examination of Witness TF1-579.

The witness continued his explanation about the death of Sam Bockarie and how Yeaten received instructions from Taylor in that regard. The witness spoke about the death of Jungle and explained how he was killed. He said the Jungle was killed by Nyani, on the instructions of Yeaten.

Photo Identification

Prosecution counsel Mr. Koumjian asked that the witness be shown a photo for identification. Defence counsel Mr. Anyah raised concerns that no foundation had been laid to establish the purpose of the photos. Prosecution counsel Mr. Koumjin clarified that he was only using the photo to identify certain individuals and that the identification will establish the foundation for its use. The witness was then asked to identify certain individuals in the photo. The witness identified a lady in uniform called Gen. Lucy, who was an ADC to Taylor. He also identified Taylor in the photo, Joseph Montegomery, Kadiatu Jarrah, and James Kemu, the person he earlier said was beheaded by Yeaten when Sam Bockarie was executed.  The witness also indentified another individual as Isaac Musa.  Court moved into private session as other matters bothered on the security of the witness.

When court resumed in open session, prosecution counsel requested that the photos identified by the witness be marked and admitted into evidence.

That was the end of the examination-in-chief of the witness.

Defence counsel Mr. Anyah informed the court that he was going to make an application as indicated earlier that the cross-examination of the witness be adjourned on two grounds:

1. He said that because Prosecution had not informed the defence about the late appearance of this particular witness, disclosures of some of his statements/preppings were made very late and he had not had time to get full instructions from Mr. Taylor on how to  proceed with the witness as all the documents have not been properly read.

2. He said that the second basis of the application had to do with issues discussed earlier on in private session and will need directions from the bench on how to proceed.

Justice Doherty ordered that the court be put in private session in order to discuss the second basis of the application. Court went into private session.

When court resumed in open session, Justice Doherty stated that the defence application for an adjourment will be granted and that the cross-examination of the witness will commence on November 24, 2008. Justice Doherty asked the prosecution whether they will be ready with another witness tomorrow. Mr. Koumjian informed the court that Witness TF1-045, an insider witness will take the witness stand tomorrow.

Defence counsel Mr. Anyah informed the court that Mr. Munyard is supposed to have carriage of the witness tomorrow but since he might not be ready to do so, another counsel might have to stand in on his behalf. Justice Doherty asked Mr. Anyah to first confer with Mr. Munyard and when court resumes in the morning, they will determine how to proceed.

Court adjourned for the day.

12:00pm: Court resumed in open session and the examination of Witness TF1-579 continued in open session.

Prosecution counsel Mr. Koumjian asked several questions about Sam Bockarie’s departure to Ivory Coast, his return to Liberia and his subsequent death.

Sam Bockarie’s Trip to Ivory Coast

The witness testified that in 2000, Bockarie travelled to Burkina Faso. He said Bockarie was there for sometime and that when he returned to Liberia, Taylor ordered him to go to Ivory Coast. The witness testified that Bockarie took several fighters to Ivory Coast. He said that Sam Tua was responsible for recruiting fighters to go to Ivory Coast.

The witness explained the Bockarie and his fighters were based in Danane, Ivory Coast from where they launched attacks against Ivorian forces.  The witness said that he was instructed by Benjamin Yeaten to go and join Bockarie in Ivory Coast. He said he made the trip and joined Bockarie there. He said that Bockarie had Sierra Leonean and Ivorian fighters with him in Ivory Coast. The witness mentioned the names of some of the fighters that were with Bockarie in Ivory Coast as Toastie, Jabati Jaward, Vandamme, Yellowman and Idrissa.

The witness said that after two months, Bockarie asked him to take his (Bockarie’s) wife and children back to Liberia. He said he did take them to Monrovia and returned to Ivory Coast with Bockarie’s girlfriend.

The witness later returned to Liberia. He said that while in Liberia, he heard that fighting had erupted between Bockarie and Philip Doe, one of the rebel leader in Ivory Coast. He said that Bockarie therefore retreated from Ivory Coast back to Liberia. He said that Mr. Taylor gave orders to Yeaten that Bockarie and his men should be taken to Yekepa. The witness said that Yeaten returned to Monrovia and ordered him to go and join Bockarie at Yekepa.

Death of Sam Bockarie

The witness testified that while at Yekepa, he obtained permission from Bockrie for him to pay a visit to a neighbouring town. The witness said that while he was a way, he saw Yeaten moving towards Yekepa with a convoy of armed men. He said that his sister also came from the market place and told him about the movement of armed men. The witness said he decided to walk to the market place in order to get a ride from the armed men back to Yekepa. When he got there, he said a close friend of his called him aside and told him that he was a lucky man. The court went into private session to allow the witness to mention the name of the friend who told him he was lucky. When court resumed in open session, the witness explained that his friend told him Taylor had given orders to Yeaten to kill Bockarie together will all his fighters as Bockarie had become an embarrassment to him (Taylor). The witness said he was therefore lucky to have been away because he would have been killed. He said the friend expplained to him that Bockarie and all his men had been killed, including his friend, James Kemu who was beheaded.  The witness said that he returned to Segleipie where Jungle confirmed the execution of Bockarie and others to him.

Court adjourned for lunch break.

Thursday November 6, 2008.

10:00am: Court resumed with the evidence of TF1-579 but almost the whole of the morning session was spent in closed/private session due to security concerns by the witness.

At the start of the morning session, the witness indicated that he had some concerns which he wanted to bring to the attention of the court. Prosecution counsel Mr. Koumjian suggested that such concerns be heard in private session in order to protect the identity of the witness. Court went into private session.

When court resumed in open session, there was a dialogue about a motion that should be filed by the prosecution and a response to be made by counsel for the defence. The details of the motion were not discussed in public session.

The witness was brought into the court to continue his testimony. Prosecution counsel asked that the court be moved into private session because of the nature of the questions that he intended to ask. Court went into private session for the remaining period of the morning session.

Afternoon Session, November 5, 2008

3:00pm: Court resumed after lunch break and prosecution witness TF1-579 continued his testimony but in provate session. Prosecution counsel Nicholas Koumjian asked the witness to tell the court what Bockarie told him about diamonds that were mined by the RUF. The witness explained that Bockarie told him he always divided the diamonds into three portions. One portion he said was given to Taylor for the purchase of arms and ammunition for the RUF, the second portion he said was distributed among the various RUF commanders and the third portion he was was kept to be handed to Sankoh upon his release from prison.

At this point, prosecution counsel made an application for the court to go into private session because the next set of questions will expose the witness’s identity if raised in public. Court went into private session for the remaining period of the proceedings.

Mid-Morning Session: November 5, 2008.

12:00pm: Court resumed after mid-morning break and examination of TF1-579 continued in open session.

Upon resumption of court after the mid-morning break, defence counsel for Mr. Taylor Mr. Morris Anyah informed that court that after the exemination-in-chief of the witness, the defence intends to make an application for an adjournment in the witness’s evidence in order to allow the defence to do some more work and adequately prepare for the cross-examination of the witness. He said that during such preparation, the prosecution will be free to call up another witness so that there is no waste of the court’s time. Prosecution counsel Mr. Nicholas Koumjian responded that the prosecution will object to any such application as an adjournment before cross-examination will jeopardize the security of the witness.

Mr. Koumjian then continued the examination of the witness.

Payments Received by NPFL Fighters Before Taylor Became President of Liberia

Prosecution counsel asked the witness whether he received any payments as a member of the SSS prior to Mr. Taylor becoming president of Liberia. The witness responded that he did not receive any payments. He said that other SSS officers, however, received some form of payment. These payments, he said, were in the form of food supplies, clothing, boots, etc. He also said that fighters will take things from towns captured at the frontline. The witness said that when Taylor became president of Liberia, the SSS started wearing uniforms.

Witness’s Visits to Sierra Leone

Prosecution counsel asked the witness whether he ever visited Sierra Leone. The witness said that he visited Sierra Leone on three seperate occassions. He said that on his first visit, he went along with Samson Wai and Jungle and that this was when Jungle was serving as ADC to Foday Sankoh. He said that they took along ammunition to Sam Bockarie in Buedu. The witness said he was not in unifrom when he went to Buedu. He said when they crossed into Sierra Leone, Bockarie met them on the way and led them to Buedu with the ammunition. The witness said that he was in Buedu when the RUF commanders from the frontline came and took the ammunition for RUF operations. Witness said he spent two days in Buedu during this visit.

The witness said that he made a second visit to Buedu along with Zigzag Marzah, Samson and Jungle. He said that before they left for Sierra Leone, Banjamin Yeaten took them to a warehouse at Taylor’s residence and gave them ammunitions which they took to Sam Bockarie in Buedu. He said the second trip was made about two months after the first trip. When asked about who Zigzag Marzah was, the witness said that he was an operations man for benjamin Yeaten.  His real name, he said was Joseph Marzah.

The witness said he made a third trip to Buedu together with Samson. He said that this time round, they did not take along ammunition but that they carried clothing, boots, and cigarettes for RUF fighters, which were delivered to Sam Bockarie. The materials he said were given to them by Benjamin Yeaten. He said that when they went to Buedu, Bockarie took them to the Moa River and showed them a war tank which he said Taylor had made a request for. He said that when they went to the Moa River, the tank was on the other side of the river and the ferry was broken. He said that they spent the whole day trying to fix the ferry and that when they finally did, they put the tank on top of the ferry. Due to the tank’s weight, the ferry sank. He said that on their way back to Buedu, they met Issa Sesay and Morris Kallon and Bockarie instructed them to go and fix the ferry. The witness said that he returned to Liberia together with Samson.

Sam Bockarie’s Relocation to Liberia

The witness said that when Issa Sesay and Sam Bockarie had a problem, Taylor invited them to Liberia to settle their dispute. He said that when the problems persisted, Bockarie left the RUF in Sierra Leone in 1999 and relocated to Liberia. The witness said that when Bockarie was leaving the RUF for Liberia, he took along his family members and a huge number of fighters who were loyal to him. The witness said that based on instructions from Taylor, Bockarie’s fighters were recruited into the Anti Terrorist Unit (ATU). He said Chuckie Taylor, Charles Taylor’s son was the head of the ATU. The witness was shown four photos for identification. In these photos, the witness identified several individuals including Zigzag Marzah, Sam Bockarie, Jungle and Abu Keita. When asked about Abu Keita, the witness said that he met Keita in Buedu and that Keita told him he had been a member of ULIMO-K before joining the RUF.

Witness Assigned to Work with sam Bockarie

The witness testified that when Bockarie relocated to Liberia, Benjamin Yeaten assigned him to work directly with Sam Bockarie. The witness said that Sam Bockarie was given a whole compound to live in at the ELWA Junction. He said that the house contained four houses, one of which was occupied by Bockarie and his wife, the other by his mother, the third by his sister and other family members and the fourth by his bodyguards. Other Liberians he said were assigned to work with Bockarie were Samson Wai, Suprise Faiso and James Kemu. He said that they reported directly to Yeaten. The witness said that his own house was located right accross the street, opposite Taylor’s White Flower residence. The witness said that he built a very close relationship with Sam Bockarie during this period. He said that Bockarie confided in him about many issues. The witness said that when Bockarie spoke about Taylor, he referred to him as Chief. He said Bockarie told him about his struggles to keep the RUF alive in Sierra Leone and how he had not benefitted anything in return. He said that Bockarie told him it was Taylor who had invited him to relocate to Liberia. He said that Bockarie told him he had been taking all instructions from Taylor in Sankoh’s absence.

Court adjourned for lunch break.

Wednesday November 5, 2008.

10:00am: Court resumed in open session and the Prosecution led its 81st Witness TF1-579. The witness, a Liberian linkage/insider witness was led by Prosecution Counsel Nicholas Koumjian and he testified in Liberian English. The witness testified with voice and image distortion. When the witness commenced his testimony, the court went into a brief private session for the purpose of putting the witness’s name and basic information on record. When court resumed in open session, prosecution counsel cautioned the witness to be careful with his responses to questions as his identity needed to be safeguarded. The witness stated that he went to school upto the 10th Grade level and that he can speak English, Gio and Liberian English.

Witness Joins The NPFL in 1990

The witness testified that he was in Liberia when the rebel war started in 1989. As the rebels were advancing on towns in Liberia, the witness said that he moved to Ivory Coast to escape from the war. While in Ivory Coast, the witness said that he saw Special Forces members of the NPFL who encouraged him, together with other Liberians in Ivory Coast to join the revolution as the Krahn people were killing the Gios in Liberia. The witness said that he left Ivory Coast and went back to Liberia. The witness said that he went to the training base at Gborpleh in order to join the NPFL. At the training base, he said he saw SBUs, Special Forces and other soldiers. He said that there were also Gambians, Burkinabes and Ivorians at the training base. One of the persons he met at the training base was Benjamin Yeaten. The witness’s training lasted for three months and upon graduation, he was taken to Tapeta. While at Tapeta, the witness said that he met Oliver Vanny and he became bodyguard to him.

Foday Sankoh Planned the Invasion of Sierra Leone from Liberia

The witness testified about first meeting Foday Sankoh in Liberia. He said that he first saw Sankoh at Bomi Hills, when Sankoh held a meeting to plan the deployment of his fighters to Sierra Leone. He said that at the meeting, Sankoh cautioned that he did not want any lootings or killing of civilians among his fighters. He said that most of Sankoh’s fighters at that time were Liberians and that Taylor provided support to them. The witness said that after the meeting, the fighters arrived the following day and were taken to Bo Waterside, on the Liberian/Sierra Leonean border. He said the main targets of the fighters headed for Sierra Leone were to hit Gendema and advance towards Zimmi. The witness said that for sometime, he used to see troop movements from Bomi Hills to Sierra Leone and vice versa.

Execution of Oliver Vanny; Defence Raises Objection

The witness testified that when enemy forces captured Gbarnga, Taylor blamed Oliver Vanny for not securing the ground and as a result ordered his execution. The witness also spoke of the execution of Casciuous Jacobs when Gbarnga was captured by enemy forces. Defence counsel Morris Anyah raised an objection on grounds that the testimony concerning the execution of these individuals was irrelevant on basis that they had no link with the events in Sierra Leone for which Taylor is charged and that they occured way before the time period of the indictment. Prosecution counsel Nicholas Koumjian responded that the issues were relevant as they are meant to show the accused persons behaviour in killing his fighters who did not do what he wanted them to do. Presiding Judge Teresa Doherty ruled that the questions will be allowed under Rule 93a of the Rules of Evidence and that their probative value will be determined by the Chamber.

Witness is Recruited as Member of the Special Security Services (SSS)

The witness testified that he later took assignment with Benjamin Yeaten. He said that Yeaten sent him for SSS training in Gbarnga. He said that after his graduation, he was assigned to Taylor’s Mansion in Gbarnga. He said this was in 1992. The witness was shown two photographs in which he identified Yeaten, Sylvester Williams and Daniel Tamba, aka Jungle. The witness said that there were SBUs also working at the Mansion. The witness said that under Yeaten’s command, Sankoh was given a house at Sugar Hill, a place close to Yeaten’s and Taylor’s houses. He said that was the second time he met Sankoh. The witness said that he was later deployed to Monrovia where he fought against ULIMO-J fighters. He said that when Taylor became President, he became part of Taylor’s motorcade as a security. The witness gave an explanation of the structure of the SSS. He said that those who went through the full SSS training were paid a salary of $250, the Special Bodyguards in the SSS received $450 and those SSS members who did not take full training received $50 plus a bag of rice. He said that the commander of the Special Bodyguards Unit was called Senegalese.

Court adjourned for mid-morning break.