The three—year trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor is in its final day of hearings before international judges begin deliberating a verdict on war crimes charges.
Mr. Taylor has denied charges of murder, rape, pillaging and deploying child soldiers in the 11—year civil war in Sierra Leone. He faces a maximum life sentence if convicted.
Prosecutors, in their last rebuttal on Friday, underscored their contention that Mr. Taylor controlled rebel forces in the late 1990s. They dismissed Mr. Taylor’s portrayal of himself as a peacemaker in the war. They said Mr. Taylor met rebel leaders to plan the war, arrange arms shipments and to receive illegally mined diamonds in exchange.
The judges are expected to take up to three months to reach their decision.
