-As Kalasco and Others Face Imprisonment At South Beach
By G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The Monrovia City Court, presided over by Magistrate L. Ben Bargo, on Tuesday ordered the detention of former Presidential Aid Sekou KalascoDamaro and several others at the Monrovia Central Prison for allegedly obstructing government functions.
This marks a significant shift in the political landscape, as the Boakai-Koung administration has now recorded its first political prisoners, contrasting the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), which had long boasted of not having any political detainees during its six years in power.
Kalasco, and others’ imprisonment
Kalasco’s imprisonment stems from a writ of arrest issued by the city court, based on a complaint from the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice. The writ commands the arrest of Kalascoand other defendants, requiring their appearance before the Monrovia City Court to answer charges including riot, failure to disperse, obstruction of highways, and aggravated assault.
The writ details that on December 12, 2024, Kalascoand his co-defendants allegedly used various media platforms to incite Liberians to gather for a protest at the National Legislature. It asserts that their actions were unlawful and intentional, violating several sections of the Revised Penal Law of Liberia, including Chapters 17, 12, 15, and 14.
The document states, “The alleged act of the Defendants being unlawful, wicked, criminal and intentional is in violation of Chapters 17, 12, 15 & 14, Sections 17.1, 17.3, 12.1, 1553, 1.51 and 14.20 of the Revised Penal Law of Liberia.” The writ emphasizes that the defendants’ actions constituted a breach of peace and dignity for the Republic.
According to the writ, the planned protest led by Kalasco and others began on December 17, 2024, at 8:00 AM, as they assembled at various locations in Montserrado County before heading to Capitol Hill. The writ alleges that they attempted to forcibly enter the Capitol Building, blocking main streets and breaking through barriers set up by the Liberia National Police (LNP) while government officials, including President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, were present for a book-signing ceremony in memory of former Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
Additionally, the writ claims that the defendants physically assaulted LNP Patrolman Amara Bility, causing injuries and damaging a state-owned olive-green Toyota Prado vehicle, license plate A6309, along with three other vehicles, totaling an estimated value of $40,000.
Alongside Kalasco, defendants Martha Johnson, Comfort N. Brown, Charles Johnson, Francis Flono, Augustine Zaizay, Stanley Flomo, and others have also been charged for their involvement in damaging state property and are now facing serious legal repercussions.
