NEW : Sierra Leone welcomes ruling , says it shows that no one is above the law . Court in The Hague upholds Charles Taylor conviction and 50-year sentence . He was president of The Hague from 2003 until 1997 , when he fled under pressure . He was convicted of supplying , encouraging rebels in Sierra Leone in a campaign of terror .
NEW : Amnesty International welcomes ruling , says it shows that no one is above the law . Court in The Hague upholds Charles Taylor 's conviction and 50-year sentence . He was president of Liberia from 1997 until 2003 , when he fled under pressure . He was convicted of supplying , encouraging rebels in Sierra Leone in a campaign of terror .