Blood-diamond expert testifies at Taylor's war crimes trial

An expert on the trade in blood diamonds will be the first witness to testify at the war crimes trial of the former Liberian president Charles Taylor when it resumes in the Netherlands today, six months after it adjourned following a chaotic opening session.

Mr Taylor, 59, is accused of terrorising the people of Sierra Leone by orchestrating atrocities committed by militias known for hacking off their victims' limbs during the country's 10-year civil war that ended in 2003.

Among the 11 charges against him are murder, rape, enslavement and conscripting child soldiers. Mr Taylor, the first former African head of state to appear before an international tribunal, denies all the charges.

Prosecutors say Mr Taylor's involvement in the war was motivated by his desire to get his hands on diamonds from Sierra Leone.

Their first witness will be Ian Smillie, an expert on conflict or blood diamonds, so called because they were smuggled out of Africa and sold, with the proceeds fuelling wars across the continent.

The trial is being held in The Hague to avoid public unrest in Liberia, but will be transmitted to Freetown for public viewing. ap