EFL:The leader of Liberia's transitional government, Gyude Bryant, has promised to use the death penalty against anyone found guilty of sacrificial killings. During an address on state radio Mr Bryant said people were killing in the belief it would make them successful, rich, or the next president. A BBC correspondent in Liberia says the number of ritual murders are growing. Sacrifices have been reported in three of Liberia's counties - the latest involving beheading and organ removal.
"We'll find you, we'll arrest you, we'll prosecute you and let me say again to everybody, if the judge passes down a ruling to say you must die by hanging, I will hang you," Mr Bryant said. "I will sign the death warrant without batting my eye." | I think that's pretty clear. You could run for governer of Texas on that platform |
Elections for the first president since Charles Taylor left the country are due in October, which, our correspondent says, is the likely reason for the increased number of ritual killings. Human parts such as genital organs are believed to offer supernatural powers, especially by aspiring politicians and so the number of alleged ritual killing rises in the run-up to elections. | It would add some spice to the New Hampshire primaries. I hear Hillary has several democrat's balls in a jar on her desk |
"If you killed because you want to make a sacrifice to be president or senator, you fool yourself," Mr Bryant said. "Stop ritualistic killings, it will not pay you anything, it will not make you rich, it will not give you jobs." In January extra United Nations peacekeepers had to be sent to south-eastern Liberia following violent protests over alleged ritual killings. |