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Liberia ex-president may go free due to budget constraints

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) prosecutor Stephen Rapp said Tuesday that lack of funds due to the global economic downturn may require the release of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. The SCSL has charged Taylor with 11 counts of crimes against humanity for his involvement in the Revolutionary United Front, a rebel organization allegedly responsible for the murder of Sierra Leone citizens. The SCSL's budget comes entirely from individual donations, and it expects a shortfall of close to five million dollars. Without sufficient funding, the judges in the case may be forced to release Taylor from custody. Should he be set free, the indictments would stand, leaving open the possibility for further legal action. Earlier this month, officials had announced that they expected the court to render a verdict by 2010, despite the SCSL's ongoing financial troubles. After complaints of prejudice in 2007, the SCSL increased Taylor's defense funding to $100,000 a month. Taylor claims to be indigent, but critics argue that he has millions of dollars hidden in African banks.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on February 25, 2009 (boomark / email).