Liberia: Capitol Building Hearth Suspect Accuses Joint Security of Inhumane Therapy to Falsely Incriminate Himself, Colleagues and Lawmakers
Monrovia – The Temple of Justice was a scene of drama and controversy on Monday when Thomas Etheridge, the prime suspect within the Capitol Building fireplace incident, collapsed a number of instances throughout a court docket listening to. Etheridge, accompanied by his legal professionals and relations, appeared earlier than Criminal Court B following a writ of habeas corpus filed by his lawyer, looking for his rapid launch from what they termed as “unlawful detention.”
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected] and Victoria Wesseh, [email protected]
Background
Etheridge, a resident of Brewerville, was arrested close to the Capitol Building on December 18, 2024, however was not charged inside the constitutionally mandated 48-hour interval. His lawyer, Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi of the International Law Group, filed the petition, alleging illegal detention and inhumane therapy by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
The petition cited violations of a number of constitutional provisions, together with Article 20(a): Guaranteeing liberty, safety, and due course of; Article 21(e): Prohibiting torture and inhumane therapy of detainees and Article 21(f): Mandating that arrested people be charged and introduced in court docket inside 48 hours.
Etheridge alleges he was tortured, coerced to offer false statements, and subjected to waterboarding, beatings, and threats, together with being thrown right into a snake pit.
“As soon we got upstairs, the first thing they did, they butt-naked me,” he mentioned. “They told me that one man can never fight government. They had two persons that formulated statements indicting me. But I told them that I was innocent. They wanted me admit that I bought gas and called people to burn the building. But every time I said I was innocent, they would hit me, knocked me on the ground and beat me for more than five minutes. They threaten to sodomize me and f–k with me.”
Hearing Developments
Judge Kaiboi Nuta, presiding over the case, ordered Etheridge’s launch into the custody of court-approved guarantors who should guarantee his rapid switch to a reputable well being facility. The court docket mandated a medical report be submitted by January 16, 2025.
“The issue of life and health is of paramount concern,” Judge Nuta mentioned, emphasizing the court docket’s incapacity to confirm Etheridge’s bodily situation or present custody whereas guaranteeing medical care.
The authorities, via its authorized counsel, denied the allegations of torture, describing them as “malicious and misleading.” The Ministry of Justice and safety companies defended Etheridge’s detention as compliant with authorized requirements and claimed the LNP and NSA function with professionalism.
Courtroom Drama
Drama ensued when Etheridge, en path to the hospital, was intercepted by a Sheriff from the City Court bearing one other writ. Court officers escorting Etheridge refused at hand him over, leading to a bodily altercation throughout which Etheridge collapsed. He was later transported to the AMI Expeditionary Health Center on First Street, Monrovia.
Public Outrage and Allegations of Abuse
Etheridge’s claims of torture and mistreatment have sparked public condemnation. Citizens and civil society organizations are calling for accountability and urging the joint safety forces to conduct neutral investigations.
Inspector General Gregory Coleman, talking final week, introduced that the Capitol fireplace was an act of arson, citing proof that dominated out electrical faults. However, Etheridge’s ordeal has raised questions in regards to the investigation’s credibility.
Amos Wesseh, a involved citizen, criticized the police’s strategies, saying, “You don’t gather compelling evidence by torturing innocent people.”
“We are watching. As we said from the very beginning. this is a witch hunt against the CDC and Its partisans and lawmakers. But their plan failed,” mentioned Ismael Weah, a member of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change.
Political Reactions
Rep. Musa Hassan Bility, chairman of the Rule of Law Caucus, earlier issued an announcement condemning the alleged abuses. He referred to as for the rapid launch of people detained in reference to the Capitol fireplace and urged the worldwide neighborhood to intervene.
“Liberia’s hard-won peace and democratic progress are under threat. The government’s recent actions signal a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism,” Bility warned. “We will not tolerate the creation of a police state.”
Calls for Justice
Etheridge’s ordeal has raised issues that different suspects could also be held in related circumstances, going through torture and intimidation to extract confessions. Critics warn that such actions might undermine Liberia’s fragile democracy and rule of regulation.
The court docket is scheduled to reconvene on January 16 to evaluate Etheridge’s well being and the legality of his detention. Public eyes stay on the case because the nation grapples with allegations of abuse, threats to civil liberties, and requires accountability.
