The threats appear to be linked to a story about a controversial mining deal the paper had earlier reported on.
(CEMESP/IFEX) – The Liberian Observer, publisher of the “Daily Observer” newspaper, has expressed alarm over a threatened arson attack on it facilities.
According to the paper, the threat came on April 2, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. after it published a story entitled “Western Cluster Deal Backfires”, with the sub-heading “Company Whose Bid Was Rejected Was Set to Invest US$4Billion, Build Steel Plant in Liberia.”
The daily further explained that its marketing manager, Bai Best, received a call from an individual who did not say a word. Minutes later, the caller dialed managing editor Kenneth Y. Best’s phone and said, “we are coming to your house tonight and we will burn down your house,” after which she quickly hung up.
The “Daily Observer”‘s April 1 lead story reported that the controversial Western cluster mining concession deal being negotiated between the Liberian government and the Israeli mining and mineral company, ELENILTO Minerals and Mining Limited, had fallen through. An investigation conducted by the paper revealed that the company lacked the financial resources and experience to run the concession.
