Taylor’s family “confident” ahead of April 26 court verdict
The family members and friends of former Liberian President Charles Taylor say they are optimistic about the pending ruling in 6-year war crimes trial, just days before Judges of the United Nations backed Sierra Leone Special Court are due to hand down the verdict on April 26.
“The family and all of our supporters are confident that if it is about transparent justice and due process of law, if those processes/procedures are followed then Mr. Taylor will be a free man,” said Taylor’s family spokesman Liberian Senator Sando Johnson told West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR) in an exclusive interview at the weekend.
Taylor, who has been on trial since April 3, 2006, is being charged with 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for allegedly fuelling the war in neighboring Sierra Leone and supplying arms to the defunct Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in exchange for diamonds.
But the former Liberian leader has since denied all of the charges.
Johnson, who is a nephew of the former Liberian leader, told WADR that a delegation of family members and friends of former Liberian President Charles Taylor are traveling to The Hague to witness the event.
“We are confident based on the manner in which the defense team headed by Courteney Griffiths demonstrated their talents,” Johnson said.
The Liberian Senator adding that Taylor’s wife has told the family after talking to him on the phone from his prison a few days ago, “that Mr. Taylor is in good health, Mr. Taylor is willing to accept the result and Mr. Taylor is not worried.”
WADR’s Frank Sainworla interviews the spokesman of the Taylor family Liberian Senator Sando Johnson.
Click audio below to listen
Meanwhile, ahead of the April 26 verdict some of Mr. Taylor’s supporters in Liberia have planned to stage a gospel musical concert on Saturday to seek the face of God for a not guilty verdict on April 26.
It takes place under the auspices of the Light International Gospel Singers.
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