Charles Taylor lawyers oppose Campbell testimony

[June 01, 2010]  THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- Defense lawyers for former Liberian President Charles Taylor are opposing a request by prosecutors at his war crimes trial to call supermodel Naomi Campbell as a witness, branding the move "a publicity stunt."

Prosecutors earlier this month filed a motion seeking to have Campbell subpoenaed to testify about claims Taylor gave her so-called blood diamonds in South Africa in 1997.

Lawyers defending Taylor against charges of arming and supporting murderous rebels during Sierra Leone's civil war filed a response to the motion Monday saying prosecutors should not be allowed to reopen their case to call Campbell and two other witnesses, including actress Mia Farrow, to testify.

[Associated Press]

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