Liberia detains opposition figure over Facebook posts

Police in Liberia on Thursday charged and detained an official of the main opposition Unity Party, Mohammed Ali, over his Facebook posts.

The authorities are linking the posts to “arson attacks” at the headquarters of the National Elections Commission and the home of an associate justice of the Supreme Court in the capital, Monrovia.

Police spokesman Moses Carter told the BBC that Mr Ali was charged with “making terrorism threats, criminal attempt to commit murder and criminal mischief”.

Mr Ali has denied any wrongdoing.

There were media reports that people taking food to him were being denied access.

This is the first known high profile opposition arrest and detention since President George Weah signed a law decriminalising free speech.