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| Naomi Campbell |
Supermodel Naomi Campbell is expected to testify on Aug. 5 at Charles Taylor's war crimes trial in The Hague, The Associated Press reported.
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| Charles Taylor |
Campbell allegedly received a diamond from the former Liberian leader after a reception hosted by Nelson Mandela in South Africa in 1997. In a written statement to the court, actress Mia Farrow claimed Campbell told her an "unforgettable story" about being awoken during the night by "two or three men" who presented her with the large, uncut stone and said it was from Taylor.
Taylor is the first former African head of state to face an international war crimes trial. He is accused of instigating murder, rape, mutilation, sexual slavery, conscription of child soldiers and trading in "blood diamonds" during the 10-year civil war in Sierra Leone, which killed over 250,000 people. Blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds, are gems mined in a war zone and used to finance an insurgency. During his testimony, Taylor claimed that he never possessed such stones.
Special security measures have been ordered for Campbell's court appearance, AFP reported. The press is is barred from shooting pictures of her entering or leaving the courtroom, and videotaping or sketching her in or around the courtroom. While media outlets will have access to her testimony, which will be aired on a live feed, the Special Court for Sierra Leone refused to grant a gag order that was requested by Campbell's attorney. The court also ruled that Campbell's lawyer may have a limited right to intervene on whether to allow questions that could incriminate her, Reuters reported.
"Naomi has not done anything wrong. She is a witness and not on trial herself. Whilst she would rather not be involved in this case at all, she will nevertheless attend to assist the court as requested," Gideon Benaim, Campbell's lawyer, said.
Taylor's defense team is seeking to delay Campbell's testimony, The Telegraph reported, arguing that it has not been given a summary of her evidence and thus cannot prepare a proper response. Farrow and Campbell's former agent Carole White are expected to testify about the diamond gift next week.
Taylor has been on trial at The Hague since 2008. He has pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.