Supermodel to testify in war crimes trial

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, June 30 (UPI) -- Supermodel Naomi Campbell can be called to testify at the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, the court said Wednesday.

Campbell became linked to Taylor, on trial for his alleged role in Sierra Leone's civil war, through a "blood diamond" he allegedly had his associates present to her at a 1997 charity dinner at Nelson Mandela's home, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Actress Mia Farrow, who also was at the event, claims the model told her she was given the large, uncut stone. Campbell denies receiving the diamond.

Prosecutors at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague contend Campbell's testimony could disprove claims made by Taylor during his two-year trial.

A four-judge panel decided Campbell can be called to testify, saying the trial court had reviewed Farrow's statement and "is satisfied that the proposed fresh evidence is highly probative and material to the Indictment."

"The trial chamber directs the prosecution to call the proposed additional witnesses as soon as practicable," the judges said in their ruling released Wednesday.

The judges had yet to act on a motion requesting the court issue a subpoena for Campbell, Farrow and the supermodel's former agent, Carole White, the newspaper said.

Taylor faces 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the decade-long civil war that ended in 2001. He is accused of arming rebels in return for diamonds illegally mined by kidnapped victims, including children.