War crimes prosecutors are to subpoena Naomi Campbell
The British supermodel may have to testify over reports she allegedly received a so-called blood diamond from Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia. Prosecutors are keen to discuss the matter with Naomi, according to court papers filed in The Hague.
"Ms Campbell`s testimony is necessary as there is evidence that Ms Campbell was given rough diamonds by the accused (Taylor) in September 1997," read a prosecution motion filed with the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Last month Naomi stormed out of an interview with ABC News after being asked about the diamond.
It has been alleged Naomi was given the diamond after attending a dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Taylor, who was then president of Liberia, reportedly sent a party of men to visit her in her room and handed over the sizeable uncut precious stone.
Taylor has been questioned about the incident during his war crimes trial and has branded the claims "nonsense".
Mia Farrow also attended the 1997 dinner where Naomi received the gift. The model allegedly told Mia about the diamond the following morning.
Taylor, 61, has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the brutal 1991-2001 civil war in Sierra Leone.
He has been on trial since January 2008, accused of murder, rape, conscripting child soldiers, enslavement, pillaging and fuelling the war in Sierra Leone by providing weapons to the rebel army in exchange for diamonds.
Such stones are called "blood diamonds" because they are mined in rebel-held regions of Africa and used to fund wars.
|