Five charged over Garissa University College terror attack

From left: Sahal Diriye Hussein; Hassan Aden Hassan; Mohamed Abdi Abikar; Rashid Charles Mberesero, aka Rehani Dida; and Osman Abdi Dakane at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on May 7, 2015. The five were charged June 4, 2015 with committing a terrorist. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Five suspects arrested over the Garissa University College terror attack in which 149 people died were on Thursday formally charged in a Nairobi court with committing a terrorist act.

Mohamed Ali Abdikar, Hassan Aden Hassan, Sahal Diriye, Osman Abdi and Rashid Charles, a Tanzanian, denied 162 counts of terrorism and have been ordered detained until June 11, when the court will rule on their bail terms.

The prosecution has opposed their release on bail, noting that they were suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists and their release may prejudice the trial.

Meanwhile, a hearing has been set for August 24 and 25 before the chief magistrate’s court in Milimani.