STAR radio Liberia - Sierra Leonean Pastor takes the stand against Taylor

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Sierra Leonean Pastor takes the stand against Taylor

Written by Wellington Geevon Smith

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

A Pastor of the International Mission Church in Kono District, Sierra Leone has taken the stand to testify against detained former President Charles Taylor in The Hague.

As the prosecution’s 44^th witness, Pastor Samuel Bull testified to the murder and cruel treatment of civilians by the RUF rebel movement.

Pastor Bull also testified to the killing of six civilians including a woman who had just given birth to a baby after 10 days in the Sierra Leonean Town called Mamboma.

Pastor Samuel Bull is a crime based witness, meaning someone who was on scene when the crimes for which Mr. Taylor is charged were committed or he is a victim of the RUF atrocities.

Earlier, the former Radio France International correspondent who testified against former President Charles Taylor in The Hague ended his testimonies.

Mr. Stephen Smith ended his testimonies with the defence team pointing accusing fingers at other groups they claimed intervened in the Sierra Leone conflict.

Taylor’s Lawyer, Terry Munyard directed the court’s attention to two mercenary groups that alleged intervened illegally in the conflict.

He made reference to an article in the newsletter, Africa Confidential naming Sandline, a British Security Firm and the Executive Outcome of South Africa.

The Defence Lawyers alleged members of Executive Outcome and Sandline had the desire to exploit Sierra Leone’s diamonds.

The defence Team also provided justification for the uprising launched by Charles Taylor’s NPFL against the government of former President, Samuel Doe.

Mr. Munyard read to the witness an Africa Confidential article, accusing former President Doe of embezzling huge amount of money from international aid to Liberia.

But Professor Smith also quickly responded that Charles Taylor too was accused of embezzling nearly one million dollars.

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