Key Dates in Charles Taylor's Life
- 1983: Flees Liberia after being accused of embezzling government funds.
- 1984: Arrested in U.S; escapes U.S. jail a year later.
- 1989: Resurfaces in Liberia, launches rebellion to overthrow the government.
- 1991: Taylor's forces help Sierra Leone rebels overthrow government in exchange for access to diamond mines. During 11-year civil war, Taylor accused of perpetuating the killing, rape and mutilation of civilians, conscription of child soldiers, other crimes.
- 1997: Elected president of Liberia.
- 2003: Special Court for Sierra Leone indicts Taylor on initial charges; months later he steps down as president of Liberia and takes asylum in Nigeria.
- 2006: Arrested in Nigeria and sent to The Hague for trial.
- 2007: War crimes trial opens in The Hague.
- 2012: Convicted of aiding and abetting the commission of war crimes, sentenced to 50 years in prison.
- 2013: A U.N.-backed war crimes tribunal upholds Taylor's conviction and sentence.