World News
Former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor jailed ahead of drug trafficking trial
A Liberian court rejected a release request on medical grounds for the former vice president, who faces drug trafficking and money laundering charges.
The short version
- Former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor was remanded to prison on Tuesday to await trial on drug trafficking, money laundering, and other charges.
- A Monrovia court denied her defense team's request for release on humanitarian grounds after she suffered health issues while in custody.
- Howard-Taylor denies the allegations as politically motivated, while investigators cite travel records, audio recordings, and witness statements as evidence.
Key facts
- Jewel Howard-Taylor, who served as Liberia's vice president from 2018 to 2024, was sent to prison on Tuesday after a court denied her request for release on medical grounds.[Associated Press]
- Howard-Taylor was arrested on August 19 at Roberts International Airport while attempting to leave the country.[Associated Press]
- The charges against Howard-Taylor include drug trafficking and money laundering as part of an investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network.[Associated Press]
- Three foreign nationals were also charged in absentia in connection with the investigation.[Associated Press]
- Investigators claim the case relies on travel records, audio recordings, witness testimony, and evidence linking Howard-Taylor to a cocaine trafficking network.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- Howard-Taylor's defense lawyers claim the charges against her are politically motivated.[Associated Press]