Due to political belief…
APC Sympathizer Declared Wanted!
As political tension worsens in Sierra Leone especially the capital, Freetown, members, supporters and sympathizers of the All Peoples Congress APC party, the main opposition, remain targeted by the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) ruling government.
Hundreds of opposition supporters continue to suffer unlawful arrests, detention, harassments and in worst case scenarios, deaths, in the hands of supporters and members of the ruling party, aided the Sierra Leone Police and the military.
Among hundreds of victims, is one Martin Kargbo, a resident of Abbot Street, Fourah Bay, east end part of the capital, Freetown, a sympathizer of the APC Part and a Satellite Technician, who has been declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police for what they described as incitement, riotous conduct among other felonious offences.
It could be recalled that Martin was arrested during a demonstration following the pronouncement of the June 24th, 2023 elections result as the APC Party supporters believed the elections were rigged.
After two days in detention at the Ross Road Police Station, however, Martin and several other detainees fled from custody after protesters stormed the station to free them.
Eye-witnesses narrated that Martin Kargbo and the others were severely beaten, humiliated and tortured by personnel of the Sierra Leone Police during their arrest.
At a press conference held Tuesday 8th August, 2023, at its headquarters on George Street, Freetown, the Sierra Leone Police Spokesman, AIG Brima Kamara said they were still looking for Martin Kargbo and several others who escaped custody at the Ross Road Police Station, adding that a handsome reward has been put in place for any useful information that may lead to their recapture.
A relative of Martin Kargbo revealed to this medium that he was an admirer of the APC Party due to its developmental strides during its reign.
According to Dauda, some APC supporters around the Fourah Bay community demonstrated for several days after the announcement on Wednesday 28th June, 2023, of the election results which they and many observers believed were blatantly rigged, adding that the political landscape underwent a systematic change and Martin, known for his unwavering belief to the APC Party, became a target of persecution by SLPP supporters in the community where he was staying.
The precarious balance between political affiliations and professional responsibilities became increasingly difficult to maintain and the political climate grew more volatile with clashes between the ruling SLPP government and the opposition APC Party supporters and sympathizers, resulting in the loss of lives, arrests and humiliation of opposition supporters, members and sympathizers.
A resident of Fourah Bay, Ramadan Algali revealed to this medium that Martin Kargbo and others found themselves at the center of the storm, enduring multiple beatings, harassments and intimidation when police and military personnel raided the APC Party headquarters, where tear gas canisters and live rounds were fired during a peaceful protest of the election results.
This medium further gathered that Martin Kargbo’s active role during the election ultimately endangered his life, resulting in his relocation to several locations, in order to avoid been apprehended, beaten or even killed by supporters of the ruling party and the Sierra Leone Police who had since declared him wanted for incitement, subversion and riotous conduct.
Hundreds of APC supporters and sympathizers have been unlawfully arrested, detained and charged to court in the aftermath of the June elections and as at press time, the whereabouts of Martin Kargbo remain unknown.