Charles Taylor guilty of aiding war crimes in Sierra Leone

Former Liberia President Charles Taylor has been found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes including murder, rape and recruitment of child soldiers during the civil war in Sierra Leone.

Taylor was found to have provided military support including the provision of arms and ammunition to the rebels during the 10 year civil war.

Judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leonealso found that the former President received diamonds from the rebels in exchange for arms and ammunition.

The judges however said the former leader was not responsible for ordering the commission of the crimes as he did not have command and control of the rebel groups.

Justice Richard Lussick was the presiding judge.

"Having considered all the evidence and the arguments of the parties, the trial chamber unanimously finds you guilty of aiding and abetting the commission of the following crimes during the indictment period and planning the commission of the following crimes in the attacks on Konu and Makeni and in the invasion of and retreat from Freetown between December 1998 and February 1999: acts of terrorism, murder, a crime against humanity, rape, sexual slavery, cruel treatment, conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15 years into the armed forces or groups and using them to participate actively in hostilities, enslavement, pillage. Sentencing judgment will be pronounced on Wednesday, 30th of May, at 11.am."