Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was found guilty on 11 counts of, crimes against humanity, murder, rape, slavery sexual recruitment of child soldiers, looting, maiming, etc. This refers to the Sierra Leone civil war between 1991 and 2001.

The crimes were committed by the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone during the war years of 1991-2001. For the judges, Charles Taylor is responsible for these crimes because he consistently provided advice and support to the Sierra Leonean rebels.

The court convicted Taylor of having advised the rebels to take control of the Kono diamond area in 1998 in Sierra Leone, and launched an assault on Freetown in early 1999. He has also given support in logistics communication, radio operators, satellite phones, financial support, provided a villa for the rebels in Monrovia, Liberia, and delivered weapons and ammunition to the rebels, according to the court.