Elike Koffi Segbor, a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Sierra Leone has informed members of the press that a total number of thirty-eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the June 8th riot at the UNHCR headquarters at Wilkinson Road in Freetown, where properties worth millions of dollars were destroyed.

Aftermath of UNHRC Saga 38 suspects arrested Elike Koffi Segbor, a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Sierra Leone has informed members of the press that a total number of thirty-eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the June 8th riot at the UNHCR headquarters at Wilkinson Road in Freetown, where properties worth millions of dollars were destroyed.

He further maintained that out of the thirty-eight arrests made, twenty-two are refugees while the remaining sixteen are not.

The UNCHR representative noted that before the riot officials of the UNHCR held talks with these refugees on the issue of resettlement and welfare, where it was categorically stated that the UNHCR is not responsible for any resettlement programmes.

Mr. Elike Koffi also stated that they have been receiving letters from refugees in the country distancing themselves from such barbaric acts, adding that, there is a total number of 42,196 refugees in Sierra Leone and out that number only 10,000 reside in Freetown.

The legal representative of the UNHCR also spoke about a discussion, which they would have with the government of Sierra Leone on a draft refugee law that will go to parliament to ascertain if these 42,196 refugees should stay in this country.

He totally condemned the riotous conduct of these refugees and added that those arrested would face the full penalty of the law.

The legal representative also gave the statistics of refugees in Sierra Leone as 31st of March, 2006, including 42,177 Liberians, 9 Ivorians, 3 Equatorial Guineans, 5 Sudanese, 1 Vietnamese and 1 Chadian.