The defense team of Liberian President Charles Taylor would like to buy time to build a case before the model, who is suspected of receiving a blood diamond from him, is due to appear in court.
- August 3, 2010
AceShowbiz - Lawyers representing former Liberian President Charles Taylor have filed a court motion asking for Naomi Campbell's upcoming appearance at his war crimes trial to be postponed. Campbell is set to take to the witness box in a hearing at The Hague in the Netherlands on Thursday, August 5 to answer allegations she accepted a blood diamond from Taylor as a gift at a party in 1997.
Attorneys for Taylor, who is on trial over alleged atrocities committed during Sierra Leone's 1991-2002 civil war, have now asked for Campbell's testimony to be delayed - to give them more time to prepare their cross-examination. The defense team claims prosecutors have failed to disclose exactly what Campbell is expected to say, while the prosecution alleges Campbell, who is being forced to appear in court under a subpoena, has been refusing to talk to them, according to the Associated Press.
A decision on the request is expected on Wednesday.
Campbell has previously voiced her fears for her own safety and that of her family if she appears as a witness and testifies against Taylor, who has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery and the use of child soldiers and terrorism.
