Authorities in Liberia have arrested and turned over a former police chief in Sierra Leone who is wanted on charges of plotting a coup against President Julius Maada Bio’s administration.
On Tuesday, Liberian Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie announced that Mohammed Y Toure had been arrested “at the request of the Sierra Leonean authorities on the allegation of helping plan subversive activities intended to unseat [Mr. Bio’s] government.”
Following preliminary investigations, he said Liberia had decided to send over the ex-police commander to Sierra Leone as requested. He also said that Sierra Leone had given him assurances that his rights would be honoured, including his right to a fair trial.
But Liberia’s Independent National Commission on Human Rights has issued a warning against extradition, noting the possibility of “physical abuse, an unfair trial, or excessive punishment” at the hands of the requesting government.
The statement also underlined the government of Liberia’s responsibilities, which include rejecting extradition requests if the crime “is regarded as a political offence or as an offence connected to a political offence.” The former head of police has been living in Liberia for over a year. According to local media, he was one of many police officers in Sierra Leone who were fired or compelled to retire in 2020.
Sierra Leonean authorities have been accusing people “at home and abroad” of plotting violent protests for over a week before his deportation. The police announced last week that they had arrested many people, including “senior military officers,” who were “working to destroy the peace and tranquilly of the state.”
