-In Arson Case, But….
Monrovia: WomenVoices has learned that a medical report from AMI Medical Healthcare Center has confirmed that the defendants in the high-profile Capitol Arson case were tortured, with doctors warning that without proper medical care, the victims risk serious health complications or even death.
The report, initially scheduled for presentation in open court on Thursday, September 18, 2025, was abruptly postponed to Wednesday, September 24, 2025, before Criminal Court “A.” The delay comes amid allegations that the government has ordered AMI to re-conduct the examination. Unconfirmed reports suggest pressure is being mounted on the medical team not to conclude that the defendants were tortured while in custody.
The medical examination followed a motion filed by the defense on September 5, 2025, requesting an independent assessment to verify the defendants’ claims of torture and challenge the state’s account that the injuries were self-inflicted or unrelated.
The defendants allege that agents of the National Security Agency and the Liberia National Police inflicted the injuries, resulting in serious complications such as blurred vision and urinary problems characterized by reddish urine. They argue that their rights have been grossly violated and that government-affiliated medical facilities cannot provide a fair and impartial report.
Article 21(g) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia prohibits torture or inhumane treatment and forbids compelling any person to furnish evidence against themselves. Section 14.50 of the Penal Law criminalizes torture by public officers, and Liberia is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention Against Torture, which bar statements obtained under duress from being used as evidence.
Despite the defendants’ initial reservations, AMI produced a report confirming torture. Yet, its credibility remains in question amid reports of government attempts to influence the findings. Defense lawyers stressed that AMI, like other government-linked medical facilities, cannot be considered fully independent in a case implicating the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police. They recalled that co-defendant Thomas Etheridge, after allegedly being beaten and forced to confess, was treated at AMI, where doctors attributed his collapse to malaria instead of abuse—a clear demonstration of why impartiality is critical.
The delayed submission of AMI’s report has intensified public concern about possible suppression or alteration of evidence. Legal experts note that the case touches on due process and the constitutional prohibition against self-incrimination, as any confession obtained under duress would be inadmissible.
