By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
The Government of Liberia, through its Ministry of Information, has denied allegations made by Thomas Etheridge, a staffer in the office of embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and a suspect in the burning of the joint chamber within the Capitol Building. Etheridge claimed he was subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse to coerce him into making a self-incriminating statement.
In an audio recording, Etheridge alleged that he was tortured with boiling water, beaten, and intimidated with a live snake by officers of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP).
However, Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie, speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, dismissed the claims as baseless and far from reality. He assured the public that the government does not engage in or condone such acts.
“The government hereby states that it will not engage in or condone torture or other cruel, inhumane treatment of individuals under investigation by its security agencies,” Minister Rennie stated.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring an independent investigation into the Capitol Building fire, emphasizing the administration’s willingness to collaborate with national and international stakeholders, the media, and private actors to achieve a transparent and credible outcome in the ongoing matter.
