President Charles Taylor’s appeal on his conviction on war crimes during the decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone will on Thursday be ruled by a United Nation—backed court.

It would be recalled that Taylor was convicted and sentenced to 50 years in prison last year on 11 counts of crimes against humanity, including acts of terrorism, murder, rape and conscription of child soldiers.

The former President was said to have maintain innocence through out the trial in the  prosecution which also accused him of supporting the rebels in Sierra Leone with weapons and other supplies in exchange for so-called “blood diamonds”.

However Taylor was said to have launched an appeal against his conviction in January this year, with his defense calling for it to be overturned because of his lack of direct criminal involvement.