The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) has provided free legal services for 50 protesters arrested on 13 June by the police in Sierra Leone.
Development Diaries reports that they were arrested in the eastern part of Freetown for alleged unlawful assembly and disorderly behaviour.
According to the police, at least 50 youths, including one female, were arrested at various locations in the eastern part of the capital.
But CARL, in a statement, said it will provide free legal support for those arrested.
Lawyers had a brief interaction with each of the suspects before officially indicating to the police that they would be representing the suspects in the course of police investigations. The lawyers were present when statements were obtained from some of the suspects.
‘CARL-SL is currently providing legal aid services to persons who come in conflict with the law due to their participation in election-related activities’, the statement read.
‘Following reports about the arrests, lawyers hired by CARL-SL appeared at the police stations to support the suspects with information about procedures and their rights under the law’.
According to CARL, six of those arrested have been transferred to the Family Support Unit for age verification.
Freedom House rated Sierra Leone ‘partly free’ in its 2023 Freedom in the World report of political rights and civil liberties, with the West African country earning 63 points out of a possible 100.
Photo source: Concord Times
