If convicted Taylor would serve a lengthy prison term which, given his age, would effectively mean life in jail, according to court officials.

His relatives protested his transfer, which they said had been planned for Wednesday. They feel he could be cheated out of a fair trial, they said.

The transfer to The Hague was given the green light last Friday by the UN Security Council, two days after Britain said that it would provide a prison for him to serve his sentence should he be found guilty.

The Security Council cited fears that Taylor's continued presence in West Africa "is an impediment to stability and a threat to the peace of Liberia and of Sierra Leone and to international peace and security in the region".

Taylor was caught near Nigeria's northern border in late March while trying to escape to Cameroon, two days after vanishing from the Nigerian villa where he had lived comfortably in exile since 2003.

His attempts to flee Nigeria followed Abuja's decision to extradite him at the request of the Liberian government.

Since his detention, the Sierra Leone court has dismissed a bid by Taylor challenging attempts to change his trial venue.

Last month a Sierra Leonean prosecutor accused an American, Michael Chemidlin, and two Sierra Leoneans of plotting to spring him from jail after they were caught taking photographs of the 11-acre Special Court complex.

The detention centre in The Hague has been built to highest UN standards. The cells, which remain open during the day, all have a bed, a desk and an individual toilet.

Detainees have access to telephones and television, while the prison has a special room for conjugal visits.