Monrovia – Leaders of the STAND movement have accused the Liberian government of political intimidation following the arrival of armed police officers at their headquarters Friday afternoon.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
According to the group, the incident took place around 1:50 p.m. when a police patrol vehicle and armed personnel appeared near their offices. The situation escalated when the officers reportedly fled the scene upon the arrival of a key STAND figure, leaving behind a smaller group of armed police. The patrol unit later returned to collect the remaining officers.
STAND claims the event is part of a pattern of harassment, citing frequent late-night surveillance by unidentified vehicles and individuals believed to be armed.
The group has called on the media and civil society to investigate the matter by engaging local residents and business owners who may have witnessed the incident.
In a statement issued after the standoff, STAND condemned the police presence as a “calculated attempt to instill fear, harm, and crush dissent,” accusing the administration of President Joseph Boakai of using state security forces to intimidate opposition voices.
“This is not law enforcement; it is provocation,” the group said. “We remain committed to peaceful resistance, but we will not be silenced.”
The statement emphasized the group’s resolve, referencing the “July Revolution” and pledging to continue their movement despite what they describe as government repression.
As of Saturday morning, government officials had not publicly responded to the accusations. The motive behind the police presence remains unconfirmed.