Police barricade Simeon Freeman’s home

Riot officers of the Police Support Unit or PSU have barricaded the home of the political leader of the opposition Movement for Progressive Change, Simeon Freemen, in Brewerville, suburb of Monrovia barely two days after he had addressed a press conference here (Thursday, February 4, 2016) with claims that an alleged government’s death squad was planning to eliminate him and other prominent politicians, including Senator George Weah of the CDC, and Benoni Urey of the ALP.

Mr. Freeman, who has reportedly gone in hiding, hosted the press conference last Thursday to address circumstances that led to the death of Mr. Harry Greaves, who was found dead Sunday, 31 January on shores behind the old budget bureau on Capitol Hill in Monrovia after he reportedly went missing from the RLJ Kendeja Hotel along the Robertsfield highway in Margibi County where he had logged in about two days earlier.

he Liberia National Police invited Mr. Freeman last Friday for further clarity on these allegations, but the critically outspoken MPC leader is refusing to appear at the Liberian National Police Headquarters on Capitol Hill unless there is a written invitation.

Our reporter who visited the residence of Mr. Freeman both on Saturday and Sunday, saw fully armed PSU officers strategically posted at the premises, barring journalists from taking photograph.

When asked why they were deployed at the private residence, the officers referred reporters to police spokesman Sam Collins. But Mr. Collins, instead, told the media to speak to the Minister of Information Lenn Eugene Nagbe.

Police seized a camera of FrontPageAfrica’s reporter Edwin Genoway, who attempted taking photos. Reporter Edwin Genoway was handcuffed and taken to the Zone Six (6) Police Station in Brewerville, outside Monrovia. 

Speaking to press Sunday, 7 February Mr. Freeman’s MPC party chairman John Bolloon, said he was very worried about the safety of his political leader. Chairman Balloon narrated that two days ago, Mr. Freemen received a call from an unknown number, inviting him to appear at the National Police Headquarters, something he termed as frightening.

When asked if Mr. Freeman was in the house, Mr. Balloon said he could neither confirm nor deny the whereabouts of his political leader.

Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police is asking the public for any information on the whereabouts of Mr. Simeon Freeman, Leader of the Movement for Progressive Change.

A press statement released Sunday by the Ministry of Information in Monrovia said, Mr. Freeman is wanted by the police to assist with ongoing investigation prompted by statements attributed to him, accusing the Government of Liberia of organizing a death squad to eliminate 10 leading opposition figures in the country; and to further explain his assertion, among other statements, that “if anybody was an enemy to Harry Greaves, it was the government.”

Having failed to abide by police’s invitation, a team of police investigators visited Mr. Freeman’s premises to speak with him regarding the ongoing investigation but he was not seen. The statement says the claims by Mr. Freeman are very grave and as such, the LNP is entreating the matter with the utmost seriousness it deserves. Hence, the Police encourage Mr. Freeman to cooperate fully by turning himself over to the police; and as well calls on those having information regarding Mr. Freeman’s location to contact the nearest police station.

MICAT urges that these investigations ought not to reflect on the enviable record of the Liberian Government in protecting freedom of speech and the press. Edited by Jonathan Browne 

By Bridgett Milton