MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Prince Johnson, the Liberian former warlord and senator whose brutal tactics shocked the world, has died at the age of 72, authorities said Thursday.

Johnson, who infamously videotaped himself drinking Budweiser as his men cut off the ears of the nation’s former president, remained active in politics after the civil war ended and was elected senator in 2006.

He died on Thursday at a local hospital in Paynesville, a suburb of Monrovia, said Siafa Jallah, deputy director of press relations at the Liberian senate.

Liberia’s civil wars, marked by mass killings, torture and sexual violence, killed an estimated 250,000 people between 1989 and 2003. Johnson was named one of the “most notorious perpetrators” by the country’s post-war truth and reconciliation committee, and was accused of killing, extortion, massacre, torture and rape among other charges.

Neither Johnson nor the other seven people that the committee listed as leaders of warring factions were ever tried in Liberia. But a handful were convicted overseas, including Charles Taylor, a former president, who is serving a 50-year-sentence in the United Kingdom.

Mohammed Jabbateh, a rebel commander who witnesses said sliced a baby out of a pregnant woman’s stomach, killed civilians and ordered his soldiers to rape young girls, was sentenced to 30 years in the U.S.

Earlier this year, President Joseph Boakai signed an executive order to create a long-awaited war crimes court to deliver justice to the civil wars’ victims, but the court hasn’t begun operating.

Adama Dempster, a Liberian human rights advocate, expressed regrets that Johnson was unable to testify before the proposed tribunal before he died. “It’s sad and has a deep meaning for an accountability process,” he said.

In 1990, the then-38-year-old Johnson led a rebel faction that invaded Monrovia, captured former President Samuel Doe and tortured him in front of a rolling camera. Johnson is seen kicking back in a chair, his feet up on a table and a bottle of beer in one hand. He taunts the former ruler as his men strip the president to his underwear then cut off his ears.

Man Dies Instantly After Hearing of Senator Prince Johnson’s Death.

Cocopa, Nimba County—A tragic incident unfolded yesterday when 67-year-old Joseph Tuazaman collapsed and died shortly after learning of the passing of Senator Prince Yormie Johnson. The senator, who served the people of Nimba County since 2006, died unexpectedly in Monrovia, leaving the community in profound mourning.

Tuazaman was residing with his daughter, Jessica Joe Tuazaman, and her fiancé, Thomas T. Yeanay, in Cocopa when he received the news. He quickly became unresponsive and was rushed to the Cocopa Division 3 Clinic, but Michael Kporkor, the clinic’s medical staff, confirmed that he was already deceased upon arrival.

Esther Yini Barmakpei, a certified midwife at the clinic, spoke to Voice of Nimba 103.9 this afternoon, recounting the heartbreaking circumstances. “When they brought Mr. Tuazaman, he was already gone,” she stated, noting the profound shock felt by the entire community.

Joseph Tuazaman’s funeral is scheduled for today, as Nimba County collectively mourns the loss of both a beloved senator and a cherished community member.

It is believed that Tuazaman served as one of Senator Johnson’s special aides during the civil conflict in the 1990s, adding a personal connection to the senator’s passing. The news hit him hard, reflecting the deep sense of loss felt by many who admired Johnson’s leadership.

During a visit to the home of the late Senator Prince

Johnson, former President George Weah reportedly

declined to shake hands with Vice President Jeremiah

koung.

As Vice President Koung approached to greet the former

President upon his arrival, he extended his hand in a

gesture of courtesy.