The Ministry of Justice has forcefully denied recent claims that a suspect in the Capitol building arson case was tortured.
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr. (231886458910)[email protected]
Thomas Etheridge, one of the supects of the Capitol Building fire incident accused the joint security of unlawful detention and torture.
Justice Minister Oswald Tweh responded strongly to these accusations, asserting that the government is committed to ensuring a fair and transparent investigation.
Speaking Tuesday at program marking the dedication of 21 vehicles for County attorneys and legal counsels—an essential step that echoes government commitment to ensuring that justice is served, fairly and efficiently.
He announced that independent investigators had been invited to look into the claims of torture, underscoring the Ministry’s dedication to impartiality and due process.
Etheridge said law enforcement had resorted to extreme measure including waterboarding and excessive beating in their efforts to solve the arson case, which involved the destruction of the Capitol’s Rotunda on December 18, 2024.
However, the Ministry’s statement rejected these reports as “false, condemnable, and designed to undermine the ongoing investigation.”
Minister Tweh emphasized that the Ministry would not shield anyone from justice, regardless of their status. He warned that anyone implicated in the crime—whether lawmakers or ordinary citizens—would face the full force of the law.
“Investigation into the Capitol fire is progressing, and we will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt or misrepresent these efforts,” Tweh stated. “Any individual, be they a lawmaker or not, found to be involved in the arson will be treated with the full measure of the law.”
He also reminded the public that while lawmakers have certain protections under the constitution, these do not extend to serious criminal offenses.
Should any lawmaker be implicated, due process would be followed, and they would face legal consequences.
Tweh called for restraint and urged the public to stop spreading misinformation that could disrupt the peace and stability of the nation. He reassured citizens that those arrested would be guaranteed a fair trial in line with constitutional rights.
The Minister however urged all citizens to cooperate with the investigation and uphold the rule of law, stressing that justice would be pursued transparently and without bias. The Ministry of Justice says it remains committed to holding those responsible for the Capitol fire accountable and ensuring that Liberia’s justice system remains
