Post a comment
The Center for Accountability and Rule of Law Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) has provided legal representation for the 50 persons that was arrested by police officers during Tuesday’s protest in Freetown.
The Sierra Leone Police had arrested at least 50 young persons, including one female, at various locations in the eastern part of Freetown for alleged unlawful assembly and disorderly behavior. The suspects were apprehended at Grassfield, Wellington, Congo Wata, and Portee area of Freetown. They are currently detained at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Freetown as investigations continue.
CARL-SL is currently providing legal aid services to persons who come in conflict with the law due to their participation in election-related activities. Following reports about the arrests, lawyers hired by CARL-SL appeared at the police stations to support the suspects with information about procedures and their rights under the law.
The lawyers had a brief interaction with each of the suspects before officially indicating to the police that they would be representing the suspects in the course of police investigations. The lawyers were present when statements were obtained from some of the suspects.
“It is suspected that six of those arrested included minors, but we are pleased to report that they have been transferred to the Family Support Unit for age verification procedures.” CARL-SL said in a statement.
It also mentioned that its institution will continue to provide legal services to the suspects throughout the investigation, adding that they are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
