By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Temple of Justice, Monrovia—A staffer of Embattled Speaker Hon. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and a suspect in the Capitol Hill arson fire incident Thomas Etheridge, has accused state security forces of torture and gross human rights violations. Etheridge alleged he was subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse in an attempt to coerce him into making an incriminating statement against himself.
According to Etheridge, he was tortured with boiling water, beaten, and intimidated with a live snake.
They beat me because I refused to say something that I didn’t do” he recounted.
He further alleged that he was threatened with sodomy if he refused to comply with demands to make a false statement regarding the recent fire incident at the Capitol Building. Etheridge claimed he was taken to an undisclosed location, where he endured hours of physical assault before being presented with a prepared statement to sign. He refused to comply.
The allegations came to light after Etheridge was produced in court following a writ of habeas corpus filed by his legal team to allow him seek medical attention. A writ of habeas corpus requires authorities to present a detainee before a court to examine the legality of their detention.
However, sheriff were seen in the courtyard openly arguing to issue another writ for Etheridge’s rearrest, but Thomas Etheridge, eventually collapsed on the scene and been rushed to the hospital for medical attention by the Liberian national police.
Thomas Etheridge And several others were arrested by the Liberian National Police following the burning of the joint chamber of the Liberian Legislature which was later established through investigation as Arson.
On the matter of the alleged maltreatment of suspect Thomas, the government has yet to issue an official statement including his health status.
