Gov’t Speaks On Public Protest

Government has spoken on public protests saying it would stop or prevent people carrying out same which has become the order of the day in the country. It said it stands ready or prepared to go through the court any moment to stop would-be planners.

Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe made known government’s position when he spoke to the media recently (Thursday, October 3) in Monrovia. He said government will not allow people to continue disturbing the peace and stability of the country mainly those in the opposition bloc who want to change regime through undemocratic means.

“Government will not compromise the security of the country. It is under obligation to protect and provide security to all in accordance with the law. However, allowing people to exercise their constitutional rights can in no way suggest that the government is weak,” Nagbe stated.

He stated that what happened on Thursday, October 3, at the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Hospital involving the alleged victim Jestina Taylor Ghartey, 48, was not an arrest as it is being insinuated in the public domain because for almost 2 months, government provided security for her at the hospital.

Nagbe, quoting a report said that the victim (Ghartey) claimed to have been drugged and gang raped by some unknown persons for which she complained to the people and at the same time made some wild allegations against some public figures; therefore as such she is under obligation to give details to the police on the incident.

The Minister said this would have given the police opportunity to investigate the incident and perhaps made arrest if anyone believes to have been linked. The incident started peacefully, but then turned sour after Roots FM Radio station of Henry Costa’s exacerbated the situation on ground that the alleged victim, Ghartey, 48, was expected to sit an interview at the United States Embassy in Monrovia. In Costa’s proclamation, government was about to arrest Taylor Ghartey and therefore, he ordered his supporters to troop the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Hospital’s premises forming human chain to prevent alleged police arrest.