Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is to be transferred to a British prison to serve his 50-year sentence for crimes against humanity.
Taylor became the first former head of state to be convicted by an international war crimes court since World War II when he was found guilty last year of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including terrorism, murder, rape and using child soldiers.
British Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said on Thursday that following a request from the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), former president Taylor will now be transferred to a prison in the UK to serve his sentence.
Mr Wright said: "International justice is central to foreign policy.
"It is essential for securing the rights of individuals and states, and for securing peace and reconciliation.
"The conviction of Charles Taylor is a landmark moment for international justice. It clearly demonstrates that those who commit atrocities will be held to account and that no matter their position they will not enjoy impunity."
Taylor, 65, aided rebels in Sierra Leone during a brutal civil war in the 1990s which left 50,000 people dead.
Thousands more were left mutilated in the conflict that became known for the extreme cruelty of rival rebel groups who hacked off the limbs of their victims and carved their initials into opponents.
Taylor helped to plan attacks in return for so-called blood diamonds mined by slave labourers in Sierra Leone and political influence in the volatile West African region.
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