Ailing Taylor put on sick leave
2008-02-29 09:43
Amsterdam - Charles Taylor's war crimes trial was adjourned on Thursday until Monday so the former Liberian President could rest on doctor's advice, a spokesperson for the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone said.
"He wasn't feeling well a few days back," the spokesperson said on Thursday.
"The doctor said it wasn't serious, but he needed some rest. He came to court yesterday and today, but the defence counsel asked for an adjournment so he could rest on doctor's advice."
Taylor, once one of Africa's most feared warlords, faced charges of rape, murder, mutilation and recruitment of child soldiers at the court, set up to try those most responsible for the 1991-2002 conflict.
The trial was being held in The Hague because of fears it could spur instability if held in Sierra Leone.
The 60-year-old had pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial was delayed for six months since its opening in June 2007 after he appealed for more resources to fund his defence.
The court had hoped for a rapid trial, after seeing previous international war crimes trials dogged by lengthy legal arguments or posturing by the accused, notably the trial of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.
Milosevic died in jail before a verdict was reached in his marathon trial, prompting a storm of criticism about the fact his case was allowed to drag on for more than four years.