Friday, October 31, 2008
Son of Liberian despot Charles Taylor guilty of torture:
Federal Court Jury Finds Son of Former Liberian President Guilty of Five Counts of Torture
October 31, 2008
The first case brought against a U.S. citizen, Charles McArthur Emmanuel AKA Chuckie Taylor, for committing torture abroad ended with a guilty verdict on Thursday from a federal jury in Miami, Florida.
A federal court jury found the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, Chuckie Taylor, guilty of five counts of torture, conspiracy to torture, using a firearm to commit a crime and conspiracy to use a firearm to commit a crime.
The jurors deliberated for almost two days. Prosecutors said 31 year old Chuckie was involved in killings and torture as head of an elite Anti-terrorist Unit in his father’s government also known as the “Demon Forces.”
From 1999 to 2003, Chuckie’s job was to use his paramilitary soldiers to silence opposition to his father and train soldiers for conflict in neighboring African countries, according to trial testimony.
A succession of witnesses and victims told the jury about Chuckie’s involvement in horrific acts including at least three killings and torture using electric shocks, lit cigarettes, molten plastic, hot irons pressed to flesh, stabbings with bayonets and even biting ants shoveled onto people’s bodies.
Chuckie Taylor faces life in prison, with sentencing set for January 9th 2009.
Son of Liberian despot Charles Taylor guilty of torture
From correspondents in Miami
Agence France-Presse
October 31, 2008 07:33am
A US court has found the son of Liberian former president Charles Taylor guilty of involvement in summary executions and torture in the west African nation.
Charles McArthur Emmanuel, 31, a US citizen also known as "Chuckie Taylor" who was the head of Liberia's anti-terrorist services during his father's 1997-2003 rule in Liberia, was found guilty today by a jury in Miami, Florida of charges including conspiracy to commit assassination and torture.
"He was declared guilty," said a spokesperson for federal judge Cecilia Altonaga who presided over the case.
"The judge set the sentence for January 9, 2009."
The trial is the first under a 1994 US law that allows prosecution of US nationals charged with torture outside the United States.
The indictment against Emmanuel included graphic detail of brutal killing and torture Emmanuel allegedly ordered and in some cases carried out between April 1999 and July 2003.
One victim was allegedly placed naked in a pit as stinging fire ants were shovelled over him.
Emmanuel was also alleged to have tortured his victims with melted plastic, electric shocks and scalding water as well as beatings with "sharp metal rods".
END
Tamils For Justice was created for exactly this purpose, to relentlessly persue the US citizens and residents who are perpetrating crimes against humanity and Tamils in Sri Lanka, including torture, rape, kidnapping and abduction.
They are also responsible for brazenly murdering members of Parliament as well as innocent and unarmed civilians with impunity.
Unfortunately T4J encountered some problems with it"s attorney and some Tamils in
the diaspora as well as certain Tamil charities and associations. T4J is working on all legal and humanitarian issues, except Genocide litigation or debates with Non Entities.
Posted by TamilsForJustice at 6:15 PM 0 comments
There is a huge difference between blatant Human Rights violations and GENOCIDE, without proper witnesses and victims who could testify in Federal courts.
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