THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- The trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, accused of selling conflict diamonds to fund fighting in Sierra Leone, begins wrapping up this week.
The prosecution is scheduled begin its closing arguments in the case Tuesday before judges sitting at The Hague, Netherlands, followed by the defense's closing statements, the BBC reported.
Taylor is accused of trying to stimulate Sierra Leone's civil war in the 1990s by arming rebels with the proceeds of so-called "blood diamonds." He has denied the 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
One of Taylor's lawyers, Courtenay Griffiths, left the proceedings after judges refused to accept his final written brief submitted 20 days late, the BBC said.
Outside the courtroom, Griffiths said he was refusing to "lend legitimacy to proceedings."
"How will posterity judge the credibility of this court if, at this 11th hour, they prevented Mr. Taylor from presenting 90 percent of his closing arguments?" he asked.
Prosecutor Brenda Hollis said Griffiths had no right to walk out.
"The accused is not attending a social event," Hollis said. "He may not RSVP at the last minute. He is the accused at a criminal proceeding."
Prosecutors charge that Taylor, president of Liberia from 1997 to 2003, armed and controlled the Revolutionary United Front during a decade of horrific acts perpetrated largely against civilians. The Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague heard from more than 100 witnesses.
After closing arguments and rebuttals are completed, the judges will retire to consider their verdict, expected by mid-2011.
