MONROVOA: The publisher of the Hot Pepper Newspaper, Mr. Philiipbert Browne has said he has every reason to believe that some higher ups within the Unity Party (UP) are nursing an intent to harm him for allegedly supporting President George Manneh Weah when according to them “he should have been neutral”. Mr. Brown has written to the Minister of Justice Cllr. Frank Musa Dean on the imminent threats.
In a letter addressed to Minister Dean, dated September 6, 2023, narrated of the near physical attack from a “well dressed gentleman, supposedly from the Unity Party, in the midst of Cllr. Kieta and Hon. Massaquoi said that they should beat me up”.
“Mr. Minister, yesterday, September 5, 2023 unfortunately I was caught up in the traffic jam behind Musu’s Spot owing to the Unity Party political rally in the vicinity of the Ministerial Complex.
“Upon my return from viewing the extent of the traffic jam, I was spoken to by Mr. Arthur Massaquoi (an esteemed brother of mine), who approached my vehicle. He informed me that he was sitting with Cllr. Buchi Ben Kiata, so I opted to speak to him.
“After pleasantries, the Unity Party (UP) folks complained about the CDC supplement on the back-page of my newspaper (Hot Pepper) and some of my headlines. They concluded that I was supporting President George M. Weah when I should have been neutral.
“In my own defense, I simply said that I was a businessman and, if the Unity Party wanted to advertise, they were welcome to do so. As for me being neutral or not, I told the Unity Party folks that the same rights they have to support the Unity Party were the same rights that I have to decide whom I support”, part of Mr. Browne’s letter read.
Browne said even though sharply rebuked by the Unity Party folks, he, for obvious reasons, is of the opinion that it is the mindset and predominant views of the Unity Party higher-ups to beat me up.
He concluded his communication that he was not lodging a formal complaint to the Minister which should have been the normal and appropriate approach, he was capable of self-protection and was in no way requesting protection from the Government of Liberia and that was simply stating for the record in case of any eventuality.
The copies of the letter were sent to Commander –in-Chief, the Minister of National Defense, NSA Director, Inspector General of Police and the Director of the Executive Protection Services.
Comments are closed.