Liberia's ex-speaker faces charges for parliament fire

Accused of neglecting his duties, former Speaker Alfred Kumar was taken into custody.

The former Speaker of Liberia's Parliament, Alfred Kumar, has been arrested and charged with arson amid an investigation into the destruction of the Capitol Building in Monrovia during the nation's civil unrest. According to reports, Kumar, who was Speaker of the House at the time of the fire, is accused of neglecting his duties and failing to protect the building. Witnesses claim that armed militants stormed the parliament and set it alight, with many blaming rogue paramilitary groups. Others claim that the fire was started deliberately to destroy evidence of corruption and wrongdoing within the government. The former speaker's legal team has said it intends to fight the charges, with Kumar claiming the charges are "politically motivated". Further information is expected to be released in the coming days as the investigation unfolds.