Brumskine's Supporters Arrested in Bassa

MONROVIA, JANUARY 26, 2003: Cllr. Charles Brumskine today denounced in the strongest terms the arrests on Saturday of two prominent citizens of Grand Bassa County: Former Grand Bassa Superintendent Thomas Johnson and the Chairman of the Organization of Grand Bassa Citizens, Mr. Carlos Smith. The two men headed an advanced team to prepare for the arrival of Cllr. Brumskine in Buchanan on Tuesday, January 28, 2003.

The men along with their driver and two aides of Cllr. Brumskine were arrested by units of the National Police upon arrival in the county. The men were ostensibly arrested for security reasons. Mr. Smith and three of the gentlemen were held in a cell with hardened criminals.

“This is the height of intimidation. These are not two ordinary citizens who are not known in Buchanan. This is a former Superintendent and the leader of the Bassa speaking people,” an outraged Cllr. Brumskine said, speaking from home. “The government should apologize to these gentlemen, discipline its security officers who arrested and detained them, and prevent the recurrence of such acts which tend to derail the upcoming electoral process.”

The arrests came barely a month after LUP County Chair, Byron Brown and others were incarcerated for being supporters of Cllr. Brumskine and one week after words of reassurance from the NPP Chairman, which has now proven hollow. They were later released upon the intervention of the Superintendent of Grand Bassa County.

The Former Grand Bassa County Senator has called a news conference for 12 noon tomorrow at the Benson Street headquarters of the Liberia Unification Party.

K.A. Kamara
Director of Communications
Office of Charles Walker Brumskine
Inquiries: 522334/552081
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Office of Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine
Monrovia, Liberia

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