Monrovia, Liberia – Thomas Etheridge, a Brewerville resident, fell several times at the Temple of Justice on Monday, claiming he was waterboarded, assaulted, and threatened with death by the National Security Agency after being apprehended in front of the Capitol Building on December 18, 2024. Etheridge, who is seeking habeas corpus relief, was transported to the AMI Medical Center at Stella Maris University by police officials when his condition deteriorated significantly.
Etheridge was escorted to the Temple of Justice under strict protection, appearing emaciated. He alleges he was waterboarded from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., beaten repeatedly, and threatened with being put into a snake pit to elicit self-incriminating remarks. His legal counsel claims he was also pressured into signing three separate statements, which he refused, and was shown tapes he did not recognize.
According to the habeas corpus petition submitted by Etheridge’s legal team, the International Law Group, he was wrongfully arrested and then imprisoned at the LNP headquarters, where he claims his rights were severely abused. The writ depicts his situation as a litany of constitutional infractions, citing Liberian Constitution articles 20(a) and 21(e), which expressly ban unlawful imprisonment, torture, and cruel treatment.
Petitioner claims that after being detained by the Co-Respondent LNP for forty-eight (48) hours, the Liberian National Police have now decided to hand him over to strange men believed to be from the NSA, thereby restricting his liberty under the guise of a so-called criminal investigation, according to the document. The suit also claims that his lengthy imprisonment was an intentional breach of constitutional laws meant to protect suspects’ rights.
Etheridge claims to have been tormented and humiliated, which adds to the seriousness of the charges. “Petitioner says that the torture and inhumane treatment being meted out against him is against the constitutional prohibitions enshrined in Chapter III, Articles 20(a), and 21(e and f),” the petition alleges. Etheridge has also accused the authorities of violating his right to due process, emphasizing that “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, personal security, property, privilege, or any other right except as a result of a hearing judgment consistent with the provisions laid down in this constitution.”
The petition requests that Etheridge’s incarceration be declared illegal and that he be released immediately. “The Writ of Habeas Corpus will lie, consistent with Sub-Chapter D, Chapter 16 of Title 1, Liberia Codes of Laws revised, to direct the Respondents to bring the living body of the Petitioner before this Honorable Court and that the Court will order the discharge of the Petitioner consistent with the Constitution and Statutes of the Republic of Liberia,” it claims.
CREDIT: THE LIBERIAN INVESTIGATOR
