Charles Taylor: The Liberian billionaire's trial continues

Charles Taylor, the former dictator of Liberia, has been in detention at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone and faces 11 charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes. To prevent the incitement of violence in the west African state, the trial is currently being tried in the Hague (note: not the ICC).

Since the trial began in June 2007, gruesome details of the atrocities that have been committed against civilians in Liberia during the 1991-2001 civil war are being uncovered. Eye-opening evidence includes testimony by former death squad leader, Joseph "Zigzag" Marzah, who said Taylor instructed fighters to eat UN peacekeepers: "Even the UN white people - he said we could use them as pork...to set an example for the people to be afraid."

The casual tone of his testimony almost makes the cannibalism that occurred sound normal: "[We] throw your head away, your intestines, we take it and put it in a pot and cook it and eat it." Marzah, becoming a key witness, adamant in saying that he was just following orders, further said "We executed everybody — babies, women, old men. There were so many executions. I can't remember them all."

As witness testimonies continue, the prosecution and defense are debating over issues such as the structure and leadership of the rebel forces that committed the atrocities to ascertain what aspects Taylor is liable for.

Meanwhile, the prosecution said today that Charles Taylor had about $5 billion in two US banks during his presidency, according to the BBC. It is assumed that the money came from profits of hauling blood diamonds. Chief prosecutor Stephen Rapp said there will be a UN freeze on the accounts and, hopefully, the money can eventually be shared between the Liberian state and the victims of the civil war.

For comprehensive coverage on Charles Taylor's trial, click here.