Special Court for Sierra Leone / Morris Anyah Named Lead Defence Counsel for Taylor Appeal

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, May 4, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Principal Defender has appointed Morris Anyah, an experienced international appeals lawyer, as Assigned Appeals Counsel to conduct the appeal of convicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Mr. Anyah has served as co-counsel on the Taylor Defence team since 2007.

Apart from the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Mr. Anyah worked at he ICTY as a legal officer in the Office of the Prosecutor between 1999 and 2001. In 2000, he presented arguments before the Appeals Chamber in the genocide case against former Rwandan Prime Minister Jean Kambanda, and in two other genocide cases.

Since 2011 he has served as victims' counsel before the International Criminal Court (ICC), representing over 200 victims in a case involving two defendants charged with crimes against humanity in Kenya.

Mr. Anyah was educated in the United States, and called to the Bar in 1996. From 2002 to 2007 he worked in private practice, and from 1996 to 1999 was Assistant State's Attorney in Chicago.