Piah assured the public of government’s commitment to protect the constitutional rights… to assemble peacefully and express their views, but those rights do not extend to acts of violence, vandalism, or any conduct that threatens lives and public order.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah has disclosed how state security forces on Thursday, July 16, arrested several individuals in possession of petrol bombs.
Piah did not say whether the petrol bombs are home-made or otherwise, the arrest came ahead of the today Friday, (July 17) protest.
The protest is organized by STAND and backed the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) former Chairman, Mulbah K. Morlu.
Piah told reporters on Thursday, July 16, during a press briefing in Monrovia that the arrests were made as part of ongoing security operations intended to prevent violence during the planned demonstration.
He alleged that the suspects were found with petrol bombs, which he described the impasse as a serious threat to public safety.
Piah argued that the discovery points to an attempt a ‘few unscrupulous actors’ have masterminded to destabilize the country by exploiting a “constitutionally protected protest to engage in criminal activities.”
However, he did not publicly identify the suspects, or provide further details about the arrests, or the alleged evidence recovered.
Piah assured the public of government’s commitment to protect the constitutional rights of Liberians to assemble peacefully and express their views.
Those rights, Piah said, do not extend to acts of violence, vandalism, or any conduct that threatens lives and public order.
“The government will not permit anyone to hide behind a protest to commit criminal acts.”
Piah meanwhile, informed the public and would be protestors that security agencies have been instructed to respond “decisively to any attempt would tend to disrupt the peace during any demonstration.”
He called on the organizers of the protest, and all participants to conduct themselves peacefully and respect the rule of law, emphasizing that peaceful demonstrations are protected under the constitution.
Piah further assured the public that the police, and other state security agencies have been adequately prepared to safeguard lives and property throughout the protest period.
He warned that anyone found engaging in violence, or unlawful conduct, will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Piah’s comments come amid heightened political tension surrounding the planned {July 17} protest, which organizers say, is intended to draw attention to governance, economic hardship, and other national concerns.
As of Thursday, July 16, leaders of STAND had not publicly responded to the government’s claims regarding the alleged arrests, or the reported seizure of petrol bombs.
The allegations could further intensify debate over security preparations, and the handling of the planned protest.
The government stated that the images of petrol bombs circulated with the announcement are for illustrative purposes only, and are not photographs of the items the police reportedly seized..
