Monrovia – The Liberia National Police (LNP) has formally charged Eric Susay, 39, along with several co-conspirators, in connection with the arson attack on the Capitol Building in Monrovia on December 18, 2024. The fire caused extensive damage to the legislative seat, destroying the Joint Chamber, the fourth floor, and the iconic dome.
Susay, a maintenance worker at the Capitol, faces multiple charges, including arson, criminal conspiracy, attempted murder, and criminal mischief. According to police findings, Susay, along with Thomas Isaac Etheridge and other unnamed individuals, executed a premeditated plan to ignite the fire. The investigation revealed that the attack was linked to a protest held the previous day, where demonstrators opposing the removal of Speaker J. Fonati Koffa allegedly conspired to destroy the Capitol Building.
Police records indicate that the conspirators purchased gasoline from street vendors during the early hours of December 18, using it to start the fire. Investigators recovered evidence from the scene, including cell phones and other electronic devices, which were analyzed to trace connections between the suspects and the crime.
Susay was arrested on January 6, 2025, and reportedly confessed to his role in planning the attack. He provided details about his communications with Etheridge, revealing discussions about using petrol bombs and assaulting a police officer during the December 17 protest. Further evidence showed that Susay and Etheridge were in frequent contact before the incident, with Etheridge allegedly advising Susay on how to evade law enforcement after the attack.
The arson attack has sparked widespread condemnation, disrupting the legislative process and damaging critical government infrastructure. The Liberia National Security Agency (NSA), in collaboration with the LNP, has intensified efforts to apprehend all individuals involved. The search for other accomplices remains ongoing, with law enforcement vowing to deliver justice for the destruction of the Capitol and the endangerment of lives.
Efforts by defense lawyers to secure a US$3.6 million criminal appearance bond for Susay and his co-defendants have so far been unsuccessful. The accused remain in detention at the Monrovia Central Prison, pending their court trial. Authorities have emphasized their commitment to pursuing all those implicated in the attack to ensure accountability and the protection of Liberia’s democratic institutions.
