Supermodel Naomi Campbell's testimony about a "blood diamond" in the war crimes trial of ex- Liberian leader Charles Taylor has been postponed until August 5th at her request, a court spokesman said today.
Prosecutors want Campbell to testify over a diamond they allege former president Mr Taylor gave her. She was due to appear in court on July 29th, but on July 16th asked for a later date.
A spokesman for the war crimes court said today judges had approved the request, adding that Campbell was now scheduled to give testimony on August 5th.
The prosecution has said Campbell could provide material evidence to rebut Mr Taylor's claims that he never possessed rough diamonds. They accuse Taylor of taking diamonds to South Africa to buy weapons, which he denies.
In January, prosecutors said that during a visit to South Africa in 1997, Mr Taylor gave Campbell a large rough cut diamond after a dinner hosted by Nelson Mandela.
A spokeswoman for Campbell earlier confirmed she had agreed to provide testimony but stressed Campbell was a witness who had only been asked to help clarify events.
"For avoidance of doubt she is not being accused of any wrongdoing and is not on trial," the spokeswoman said.
On trial in The Hague, Mr Taylor denies all 11 charges of instigating murder, rape, mutilation, sexual slavery and conscription of child soldiers during wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone in which more than 250,000 people were killed.
Reuters