Taylor war crimes case goes to judges

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, March 11 (UPI) -- The trial of Liberian ex-President Charles Taylor for war crimes in Sierra Leone wrapped up in The Hague Friday.

The 11 charges, including murder, rape and using child soldiers, now go to the judges of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the BBC reported.

The verdict is expected in about four months. If convicted, Taylor will be imprisoned in Britain.

Taylor, the first former African leader to face an international tribunal, is accused of arming and controlling the Revolutionary United Front, who terrorized Sierra Leone for a decade with murder, rape and chopping off victims' limbs.

Closing his case Friday, prosecutor Nicholas Koumjian said Taylor, 62, is an intelligent and charismatic man who is trying to fool his judges. A defense rebuttal followed.

On Thursday, defense attorneys said prosecution witnesses had been paid and that Taylor had tried to arrange a peace in Sierra Leone.

Taylor is accused of selling "blood diamonds" for the rebels. During testimony, supermodel Naomi Campbell denied knowing that he gave her jewels in South Africa in 1997, but actress Mia Farrow contradicted her.