Families Demand $30 Million from Bea Mountain Over Kinjor Protest Deaths

Monrovia – The families of two victims who died during the violent protest against Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC) in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County have filed a lawsuit against the mining company, its parent company, Avesoro Resources Inc., and the Liberian government, demanding US$30 million in damages for the tragic deaths that occurred during the protest.

The plaintiffs, Momo Massaley and Yatta Massaley, father and sister of Essah Massaley, along with Mabel Kerkula, James Bryant, and Harris Kerkula, mother, uncle, and brother of Abraham Kerkula, collectively alleged wrongful death and a slew of other human rights violations.

The pair were allegedly killed by live bullets from officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) when a group of residents of Kinjor and employees of the company staged a peaceful protest on February 29, 2024, against alleged land grab, pollution, forceful evictions, and bad labor practices by the company.

The LNP claimed that their investigation into the shooting established that the protesters used single-barrel guns and injured police officers.

In their complaint to the civil law court, the plaintiffs, represented by former Solicitor General, Cllr. Syrennius Cephas, claimed that the police, acting on false information provided by BMMC, fired teargas indiscriminately and used live ammunition on the protesters and bystanders. This resulted in the deaths of Essah Massaley and Abraham Kerkula, both of whom were not participating in the protest but were simply bystanders.

“Essah Massaley and Abraham Kerkula were killed in cold blood, shot in their backs while fleeing the scene,” the complaint alleges. “They were innocent bystanders, caught in the crossfire due to the misleading information provided by the 1st defendant (Bea Mountain Mining Company).”

The lawsuit argues that BMMC, Avesoro Resources Inc., and Avesoro Jersey Limited are collectively responsible for the actions of their agents. It also holds the Government of Liberia accountable for the excessive force used by the police. “The government has failed to protect its citizens and has instead acted on false information to suppress a legitimate, peaceful protest,” the plaintiffs claim.

The families are demanding $15 million each for the wrongful deaths of Essah Massaley and Abraham Kerkula, totaling $30 million. They also seek additional damages for psychological injuries, loss of parental care, and general distress.