Dutch arms broker Guus van Kouwenhoven was sentenced to eight years in prison on 7 June 2006 for arranging arms supplies to Charles Taylor’s regime in Liberia. His conviction is a rare and welcome instance of an arms broker being held accountable for violating a UN arms embargo.

While owner of Oriental Timber Company (OTC), "the most notorious logging company in Liberia" according to Global Witness, van Kouwenhoven had been placed on 'travel ban' and 'assets freeze' lists by the UN Security Council for supporting Taylor's efforts to destabilise neighbouring Sierra Leone. OTC ships had delivered weapons to Taylor in exchange for Liberian timber, according to Global Witness. The complex network of companies used to provide the weapons has been uncovered by Amnesty International and others. He was arrested by Dutch authorities in March 2005.

More details of the complex route by which arms were provided for timber can be found in a recent report on arms transportation, brokering and the threat to human rights. Click here to read the Amnesty International report.

Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president supported by van Kouwenhoven, is currently in custody of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, awaiting trial on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and serious violations of international humanitarian law, including the recruitment of child soldiers.