The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has on Monday issued a press statement condemning the assault and man handling of a police officer by a citizen of Sierra Leone.

Last week the incident was captured on camera where a citizen was seen beating and dragging a police officer in the streets of Freetown.

According to HRCSL, through its monitoring of the social media, they came across a video that has gone viral where a police officer, PC 18080 Mansaray was seen being manhandled by one Ibrahim Bangura, a civilian.

“In order to verify the said video, HRCSL engaged senior personnel of the SLP including the Head of CID, Crime Officer at the Central Police Division, Deputy Director of Communications, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Crime Services, all of whom confirmed that the said officer, PC 18080 Mansaray was the one seen assaulted in the said video and that the suspect is under police custody while investigations continue,” HCRSL stated.

HCRSL further stated that they strongly condemned the said attack on the police officer and all other attacks that the police and other law enforcement officers have been subjected to in recent times in the course of the discharge of their lawful duties.

“Citizens are hereby reminded that they also owe a duty to be law-abiding and to support the work of law enforcement officers in carrying out their lawful responsibility as provided for in Section 13 () of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 which stipulates; every citizen shall render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order,” the commission stated.

HRCSL however called on the Sierra Leone Police to immediately charge this matter to court without any further delay as the detention of the suspect has gone beyond the constitutional term limit.

Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone is the statutory body responsible to protect and promote human rights of all in the country pursuant to Section 7 (1) of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act (No.9) 2004.