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Unmil Seizes Weapons in Jacob Town - More Than 100 Arrested

The NEWS (Monrovia)
NEWS
November 1, 2004
Posted to the web November 1, 2004
Monrovia
Peacekeeping troops within the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) have
reportedly seized weapons in Jacob Town, Paynesville, where violent riots there
left scores of people dead and places of worship destroyed.
The State Radio, Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), reported Sunday that UNMIL
peacekeepers seized the weapons in a bag, when they into the area to maintain
law and order amidst the chaos.
According to the LBS report, the seizure of the weapons followed complaints
from residents that individuals believed to be thugs were firing in the area.
At the same time, UNMIL arrested more than one hundred individuals who it
termed as 'criminals'. The men were arrested while in illegal possession of
weapons.
The arrest of the men followed the end of the disarmament process on October
31. The head of UNMIL, Retired American Air force General, Jacques Klein had
warned that anyone failing to turn in his weapons voluntarily by October 31,
such individuals would be treated as a criminal if caught with weapons.
Ambassador Klein said UNMIL and the Liberian police were jointly collaborating
to put the current situation under control.
Meanwhile, Deputy Justice Minister for Rehabilitation, Saar Gborlie says more
than 500 persons have been arrested since the violent riot began Thursday.
According to Radio Veritas, he said the Monrovia Central Prison is full with
inmates. Minister Gborlie said those arrested will face the due process of law.
In a related development, the Chairman of the Transitional Government of
Liberia, Gyude Bryant has reminded all parties to the Comprehensive Peace
Accord that the October 31, marks the end of the disarmament process.
He added that anyone caught carrying arms as of today will be breaking the law
and will be subject to arrest.
According to a MICAT "special release", Chairman Bryant spoke at the Executive
Mansion Sunday.
The Liberian Head of State, according to the release, has appealed particularly
to the media to verify and
crosscheck their facts before broadcasting or printing information, during this
period of national crisis.

   

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