A pre-hearing judge had initially ordered the hearing to be held on December 6 and 7, 2012. But in a new decision, the court pushed forward the session until it gives its decision on defence application for admission of additional evidence in the case.
On April 26, 2012 the SCSL convicted Taylor of war crimes and crimes against humanity for aiding and abetting rebels during Sierra Leone's civil war. He was sentenced to 50 years in jail on May 30, becoming the first ex-head of state to be convicted by an international war crimes court.
Both the defence and prosecution have appealed against the verdict. Taylor seeks reversal of his conviction, while the prosecution is challenging his acquittal on more serious charges and is urging an increased sentence of 80 years behind bars.
FK/ER