Taylor

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)

The first witness in Charles Taylor's war crimes trial testified yesterday that Sierra Leone rebels backed by Taylor mutilated and terrorised civilians to seize diamond fields, and that Taylor used the profits to buy weapons.

But lawyers for the former Liberian president challenged prosecutors to present evidence that linked Taylor to widespread murder, rape and amputations during Sierra Leone's bloody civil war.

'Blood diamonds'

Miners, often slave labourers kidnapped by Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front or RUF, dug up diamonds worth between US$60 million and US$125 million each year, said Ian Smillie, a Canadian expert on conflict diamonds.

Prosecutors allege the diamonds were smuggled through Liberia and Taylor used the proceeds to buy arms and ammunition for the rebels earning them the name 'blood diamonds'.

Taylor's trial resumed after a six-month recess. It was adjourned last June after a chaotic opening day, during which he boycotted proceedings and fired his lawyer.

Taylor, 59, is accused of orchestrating rape, murder and mutilation in Sierra Leone from his presidential palace in Liberia's capital, Monrovia. He has pleaded innocent to all 11 charges. He is the first, former African head of state to appear before an international tribunal.

The former prime minister looked confident as he sat in court wearing a grey suit and tie and gold rimmed glasses. At the end of the hearing, he smiled and chatted with his new defence team and blew a kiss to supporters in the public gallery.