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Liberia: Armed Robbers, Hijackers Face Harsh Penalty
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The NEWS (Monrovia)
30 April 2008
Posted to the web 30 April 2008
Benjamin B. Sworh
Monrovia
In the wake of increased armed robbery which has left peaceful residents across Monrovia raped and wounded, some members of the House of Representatives have seen the need to institute stringent law that would put armed robbers and hijackers to death.
The proposed bill spearheaded by Representatives Edward S. Forh, Elijah Sieh, Rufus Neufville and others have already been submitted to plenary.
The draft Act called for amendments of chapter 14 and 15 of Liberian code of the new panel law to make armed robbery, terrorism and hijacking an unbailable offense.
The proposed act sponsored by Montserrado County Representative Edward S. Forh observed that armed robbery and other forms of terrorist acts that have engulfed the entire nation was bringing untold suffering to Liberians.
The act further indicated that widespread armed robbery and terrorist activities have the propensity to scare away investors and stall meaningful economic activities that are paramount to national reconstruction and development.
According to section 14.54, 15.32 and 15.33 of the proposed act, "any individual convicted of terrorist act, armed robbery and hijacking peaceful citizens must be sentenced to imprisonment not less than 15 years with possibility of parole after 8 years or after serving three quarter of the sentence in the case of a higher sentence."
The Act also provides for a longer penalty to be imposed by the court based on peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, and where there is no death, rape, property damage or personal injury as a result of any of the offenders.
The drafters of the proposed act also recommended that anyone who is convicted of armed robbery, terrorism and hijacking shall be sentenced to life imprisonment with possibility of parole at the age of 90 years.
According to the act, in the event of death during the commission of the armed robbery, terrorist act and hijacking, the accused convicted under section 14.54 and 15.32 and 15.33 shall be sentenced to death by hanging in public place designated by trial court or life imprisonment without parole.
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Meanwhile, the proposed act has been forwarded to the House Committees on Judiciary and National Defense and Intelligence for review.
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