Mombasa court allows more time for police probe on suspects arrested in mosque raid
Security officers on patrol around Swafaa mosque in the Mwandoni area of Kisauni, Mombasa County. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The court heard that the suspects were among 158 others arrested during the week-long police operations within Mombasa County.
- Lawyer Abdallah Mazrui, who had appeared for the 158 suspects, told the court that he needed fresh instruction over the 13 suspects.
A Mombasa court has granted police an additional seven days to investigate 13 men arrested during the raids on Musa and Sakina mosques two weeks ago.
This development comes after police failed to complete their investigations within the seven days that the court had granted them last week.
The court then allowed the police to hold the suspects at the Port Police Station so as to be able to complete their investigations.
Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku granted the application by prosecutor Paul Makonde, who said the ongoing investigations are wide and complex and involve establishing links between the suspects and an Al-Shabaab terrorist outfit.
In his request, Mr Makonde asked the court to grant police two more weeks to complete their investigations.
“I am requesting for some more 14 days within which police would have finalised their investigation. The investigation is quite complex and it involves several agencies. There are some electronic materials and communication gadgets recovered from the suspects that are to be taken to forensic laboratories in Nairobi for analysis,” he added.
ADDITIONAL CHARGES
He said the suspects were likely to face additional charges, including being members of Al-Shabaab, once investigations are concluded.
“We are likely to amend the charges and include new ones,” added Mr Makonde.
The court heard that the suspects were among 158 others arrested during the week-long police operations in Mombasa County.
“These accused persons were among 158 brought to this court last week. Some134 people were released after screening and we remained with 24, out of (whom) 13 before this court will be charged with terrorism offenses,” added the prosecutor.
Lawyer Abdallah Mazrui, who had appeared for the 158 suspects, told the court that he needed fresh instruction over the 13 suspects.
POSSESSION OF EXPLOSIVES
Last week, the suspects were charged with being in possession of explosives, contrary to section 6 (1) of the Explosive Act cap 115 of the laws of Kenya.
They were charged in two groups. The first lot of five suspects denied being found in possession of five hand grenades on November 17, 2014 at Musa mosque without authorisation from explosive licensing officers.
They include Baraza Riziki Sudi, Abdallah Said Sarahi, Swaleh Pesa Juma, Swaleh Ahmed Swaleh and Swaleh Juma Salim.
Eight others, allegedly arrested on November 17, 2014 at Sakina mosque, were separately charged with being in possession of three hand grenades.
They include Ali Kashmin, Rama Nasoro Makoto,,KazunguDavid,Bakari Kassim Omar, George Kasongo, Yassir Said Amuor, Ahmed Japhet and Ame Haj Ame.
