Arrest over bribery charge in war crimes trial

Police in Sierra Leone have arrested an investigator employed by former Liberian president Charles Taylor’s defence team on charges he attempted to bribe prosecution witnesses during Taylor’s war crimes trial.

A United Nations-backed court in April convicted Taylor of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role supporting rebels during Sierra Leone’s civil war, a conflict that killed more than 50,000 people. He was sentenced to 50 years’ jail but is appealing his conviction.

Prince Taylor, who is not related to the former president, was arrested on Saturday on a warrant issued by the Special Court for Sierra Leone.