MONROVIA, Montserrado – Activist Vandalark Patricks has been “called in” for questioning by the Liberia National Police regarding statements he made against President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, amid claims by supporters and onlookers that he was arrested.

In a release issued on Tuesday, the LNP said it had summoned Patricks in connection to a statement he made on Sunday, February 21, 2016. According to the release, Patrick alleged that Sirleaf gave direct orders for the police shooting at the Congress for Democratic Change headquarters on November 7, 2011, that led to the killing of two defenseless citizens.

The LNP release authorized by Police Spokesman Sam Collins further said Patricks also accused the Liberian Government of hiring assassins to murder the former Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company Managing Director, Harry Greaves, and eliminate other political opponents to maintain power.

“Mr. Patricks was called in, to assist security authorities to establish the facts surrounding his statement which has the potential to undermine the security of the state,” the release stated.

The nonchalant tone of the statement runs counter to the scene described by many on social media, who claim that Patricks was arrested by members of the Liberian security and taken to an unknown location. The Bush Chicken could not independently verify these statements and Patricks’ phones have remained consistently off.

The LNP said the statement issued by Patricks is grave and requires the establishment of its truthfulness for the common good of the Liberian society.

“Speech that incites violence and maliciously defames the government does not fall under the category of protected free speech and as such this action ought not to reflect on the enviable record of the Liberian government in protecting freedom of speech and the press,” it noted.

Despite claims by the police, there is no evidence that Patricks’ statements have incited any violence.

The police have meanwhile advised the public that no one is exempted from the law, adding that, “Mr. Patricks will be accorded his fundamental rights.”

Patricks’ suspicious detention is reminiscent of another recent case involving a government critic. On February 5, Front Page Africa published a story that quoted the Movement for Progressive Change leader Simeon Freeman saying that the government was plotting to assassinate ten political critics, including himself. After making the statement, Freeman went into hiding, and police were stationed outside his home for several days. The opposition politician has yet to come out of hiding.

As for Patricks, he had also earlier announced a plan to lead a mass protest on March 11 in demand of justice for the mysterious deaths of Greaves and other citizens.

Featured photo by Gbatemah Senah