On Tuesday, war crimes judges ordered extra security measures for British supermodel Naomi Campbell when she testifies on Thursday at the UN war crimes tribunal about an alleged blood diamond given her by ex Liberian President, Charles Taylor.
The court ordered agreed that there were "legitimate grounds of concern" for Cambpell's safety and privacy because of her high profile and the massive media anticipation over her testimony.
The judges have banned photographers from taking photos or video footage of the fashion model as she enters of exists the court building, or while she is inside. Even sketches of the model are entirely prohibited; however, Campbell's testimony about the "blood diamond" will be recorded as per protocol, by courtroom cameras.
In addition to barring media photographers, Campbell has also been granted her request to have extra help from a lawyer on hand to ensure that she does not reveal any potentially self-incriminating information. According to the court, this help is "in the interests of justice".
While extra witness security measures are routine during war crimes trials, especially when their testimony could potentially endanger them or their families, banning the media from photographing, filming or sketching a witness is exceptional.
Mark Stephens, a media lawyer who questions the court's decision believes these measures make it seem as though the war crimes court give favor to celebrities. "She is being treated in a preferential way to other witnesses," he remarked.
Still, these extra measures did not fulfill all of Campbell's requests. She had also asked the judges to prohibit the distribution of any information "gleaned about her stay at the court" aside from her public testimony.
Campbell will be testifying on Thursday morning regarded a diamond that Charles Taylor allegedly gave to her after a dinner they both attended in South Africa in 1997. Mia Farrow and her agent, Carole White, were also present at the dinner, which was hosted by Nelson Mandela.
Taylor’s prosecution subpoenaed Campbell after Mia Farrow claimed that Campbell told her the morning after the dinner that Taylor gave her a large rough diamond. According to Farrow, Campbell said that “she had been awakened in the night by a knocking at her door. She opened the door to find two or three men – I do not recall how many – who presented her with a large
diamond, which they said was from Charles Taylor.”
Farrow and her agent, White, have also been called to testify. Their testimony is scheduled for Monday morning, August 9th.
