More torture charges against Charles Taylor's son filed in US

The son of imprisoned former Liberian leader Charles Taylor was indicted this week on four new counts of torture, and other ancillary crimes. "Chuckie" Taylor, who commanded his father's palace guard, named the Dragon Forces, is presently serving time in a US prison for a passport violation, and was already facing torture and other criminal charges for his role in torturing civilians whilst his father ruled Liberia. His case is the first known prosecution under a recent US law which prohibits US citizens from committing torture overseas. The Defendant was born in the United States whilst his father was a student in Boston.

Charles Taylor Jr. [UID 32829], who is also known as Charles M. Emmanuel and Roy M. Belfast, Jr., is charged* with:

• Four counts of Torture.
• Conspiracy to commit Torture.
• Use of a firearm in a violent crime or conspiracy.
• Conspiracy to use a firearm in a violent crime.

Taylor is alleged to have personally committed, or ordered these acts;

• Stabbing and cutting prisoners.
• Applying electrical shocks.
• Burning subjects with molten plastic, lit cigarettes and an iron.

The crimes occurred between 1999 and 2003. Trial is scheduled for January 2008. Whether the new indictment will result in a delay is possible.