Terror women re-arrested shortly after release
Three terror suspects, from left, Nasteho Ali Tahlil, Luul Ali Tahlil, and Zamzam Abdi Abdullahi, appear in a Mombasa court on September 21, 2016. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Luul Ali Tahli, Nasteho Ali Tahli and Zamzam Abdallah were re-arrested Thursday evening soon after a Mombasa resident magistrate, Henry Nyakweba, released them unconditionally.
- They were released after the prosecution failed to give the court compelling reasons why they should be detained.
- The youthful women were said to have been in contact with the three women who were shot dead as they attempted to raid the station.
Three young women who police say have links with female terrorists who attacked Mombasa’s Central Police Station on September 11 have been rearrested and are expected to appear in a Shanzu court Friday afternoon.
Luul Ali Tahli, Nasteho Ali Tahli and Zamzam Abdallahi were taken back into police custody Thursday evening soon after Mombasa resident magistrate Henry Nyakweba freed them unconditionally.
They were released after prosecutors failed to give the court compelling reasons for continuing to detain them.
“A court cannot grant orders based on a vacuum; no evidence has been produced to show where the alleged offence was committed and how the suspects are linked to the three terrorists who were killed during the foiled attack,” the magistrate said when he released them Thursday.
COMPELLING REASON
The magistrate noted that “we are living in a dangerous time where terrorism is a threat that destabilises the activities of the country, but suspects should not be detained when no compelling reasons are given.”
However, State Council Eric Masila said he would appeal the court’s ruling.
He asked to be supplied with certified copies of the ruling and said he would move to the High Court to seek a review of the ruling.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has filed a detailed affidavit to support their intention to charge the three women.
The youthful women were said to have been in contact with the three women who were shot dead as they attempted to raid the station.
SLAIN WOMEN
Luul Ali Tahli, Nasteho Ali Tahli and Ms Abdullahi are said to be classmates of one of the slain women at Qubaa Muslim School.
Police had told the court that the suspects had formed a WhatsApp group of former classmates where they interacted, discussing various topics.
They argued that the three have crucial information that can help in establishing the motive behind the failed attack on the police station.
An affidavit by Corporal James Muyaweru said the suspects are members of a terror group and that they had information that might assist in the investigation.
The police had sought to detain the suspects for seven days to complete their investigations.
