As Prosecution witness Issa Mongor continued on the witness stand for the third week running, Defence counsel for Charles Taylor, Terry Munyard has continued to question alleged inconsistencies of the witness’s statement made to the investigators and his evidence to the court.
Reading from a transcript of 1st October 2006 it was revealed that according to the statement by the witness, he does not know about Taylor’s involvement during the 1999 Freetown attack.
During cross examination the witness told the court that the Freetown attack was planned by Taylor and Mosquito who in turn informed the commanders who will implement them.
Adding that after the death of Saj Musa, Gullit became the commander who led the men to advance to Freetown but he was later ordered to stop for reinforcement and that he was given orders by Saj Musa to join the team to Freetown.
Questioned by the lawyer which of the statements was true and whether he was lying the witness said that he does not see any reason to lie and that he told the investigators what he is aware of “maybe I would have used the wrong name but my evidence is true. The reason why they wanted to attack was to release Sankoh and take hold of Freetown.”
Contrary to the statement made in October, wherein he told the investigators that he was not aware that Taylor took part in the planning of the Freetown invasion the witness yesterday told the court that he knew that Taylor planned the attack.
The witness said he is human and so there was every reason for him to forget and make mistake but that he did not have any intention to lie to the court.
By Betty Milton
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