IPNEWS: Despite Government plead not to release Members of the CDC-CoP who were arrested and charged following their involvement in the July 26 violence, the City Court of Monrovia, at the Temple of Justice has released all SUP-Aggressors on ‘Human Surety’ bond.
The six men release request bond was offered by Cllr. Author Johnson, earlier Thursday, August 4, 2022, following their appearance at the Court.
CDC-COP Riot defendants
Cllr. Wesseh A. Wesseh, Assistant Justice Minister for Litigation, pleaded during cross-examination to the court not to have the defendants release due to high-flight risk.
CDC-COP during July 26 riot
The Liberia National Police earlier charged and forwarded them to court the Chairperson of the Coalition for Democracy Change Ben B. Togbah and his accomplices in connection with the July 26 Independence Day celebration violence at the United States Embassy which led to the injured of several member of the Students Unification Party based at the University of Liberia.
Defendants Kendrick S. Pelenah, 30, Joshua S. Karr, 28, Pukar Roberts, 36, Ben B. Togbah, 25, Foday N. Massaquoi, 23, Aaron K. Chea, 26 and Abdurahman Barrie and other to be identified was charged with the crimes, criminal attempts to commit murder, aggravated assault, criminal mischief, theft of property, rioting, failure to disperse and disorderly conduct.
The defendants, however, was release on bond signed by Cllr. Arthur Tamba Johnson and awaiting court trial.
According to LNP charged sheet August 4, 2022, the defendant’s action is in violation of chapter 14 section 14.20-chapter, chapter 15, sub-chapter A section 15.5, chapter 10.4 chapter 15, sub-chapter D section 15. 51, chapter A section 17 section, section 17.1 and chapter 17, section 17.3 of the revise penal law of Liberia pending court trial.
On Wednesday, August 3, 2022, the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA or the Union) joined the many descending voices denouncing and condemning recent violent attacks on protesting students of the University of Liberia (UL).In a statement dated 27 July 2022, ULAA lamented the ‘torture and brutalization of protesting students” of the University of Liberia and called on President George Manneh Weah’s government to immediately bring the culprits to justice.
The group demands justice for the July 26 Street violence in Monrovia without further delay in accordance with the laws of Liberia.
“ULAA is further urging President George Manneh Weah’s Administration to adopt serious measures and develop the necessary capacity against vigilante groups, mob violence and ensure the protection of human rights inside the country,” the statement said.
The LNP said those arrested were CDC – COP the chairperson suspect Ben B. Togbah, 25; Kendrick S. Pelenah, 30; Joshua S. Karr, 28; Pukar Roberts, 36; Foday N. Massaquoi, 23; Aaron K. Chea, 26; and Abdurahman Barrie.
They are accused of allegedly brutalizing protesting students.
The arrest of the seven accused persons came after University of Liberia (UL) – based Students Unification Party (SUP) protesters and other concerned university students petitioned the United Nations’ head office in Monrovia on Monday.
The protesters complained that government supporters calling themselves CDC – COP brutally attacked them and wounded several of their colleagues last week.
