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 THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Former Liberian President Charles Taylor plunged the start of his landmark war crimes trial into chaos on Monday by boycotting the hearing and firing his lawyer, saying he did not believe he would get a fair trial.
Taylor, 59, is accused of arming and controlling rebels who raped, mutilated and enslaved civilians during the 10-year civil war in Liberia's neighbor Sierra Leone, which ended in 2002. He has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
He also is linked to brutality in his own country, but Liberians have opted for a truth and reconciliation commission rather than a court.
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