Sankoh's doctors say he is unable to do anything for himself

The application was filed with the United Nations-backed court on April 24th, following medical examinations suggesting Mr Sankoh was suffering from serious mental and physical ailments.

He has been detained for the last three years and is the former leader of the Revolutionary United Front, which was accused of widespread atrocities during the brutal 10-year civil war.

Doctors treating Mr Sankoh said that he was in a "catatonic state" - incapable of walking, talking or even of feeding himself and he cannot recognise his immediate surroundings.

Overseas treatment

They said that the 70-year-old former rebel leader is in a stable condition but was partially paralysed on both sides and urgently needed treatment overseas.

This is the second time in a month that Mr Sankoh's fitness to stand trial has been questioned by doctors.

Thousands were disfigured during the war

In June Robin Vincent, registrar at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, said the tribunal had hoped to send him abroad for medical treatment.

However, the court had then reported that it could not find a country that was willing to accept the rebel leader even for short-term treatment.

Mr Sankoh founded the RUF, which became notorious for mass rape, hacking off the hands, feet, ears and noses of thousands of civilians during a 10-year terror campaign in Sierra Leone.

He was indicted in early March by the Special Court after spending two years in prison.

A month later, after suffering from a partial stoke, Mr Sankoh was moved from the UN detention centre on the island of Bonthe to Choithrams hospital in western Freetown, but his health has since deteriorated.