Court grants police time to probe cases
What you need to know:
- Mr Makonde said there was a possibility the suspects would be faced with additional charges, including being members of Al-Shabaab, once investigations are concluded.
- Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku granted the application by Prosecutor Paul Makonde, who said the investigations are complex as they also involved establishing a possible link between the suspects and the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
A Mombasa court has granted police seven more days to investigate 13 men arrested during the raids on Musa and Sakina mosques two weeks ago.
The police had been given another seven days last week to complete investigations.
The court had also allowed the officers to hold the suspects at Port Police Station until the investigations are complete.
Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku granted the application by Prosecutor Paul Makonde, who said the investigations are complex as they also involved establishing a possible link between the suspects and the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
“I am requesting for some more 14 days within which police will have finalised their work. It is quite complex as 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.
Mr Makonde said there was a possibility the suspects would be faced with additional charges, including being members of Al-Shabaab, once investigations are concluded.
“We are likely to amend the charges and include new ones,” he added.
AFTER SCREENING
The court heard that the suspects were among 158 youths arrested during the week-long police operation within Mombasa County.
They were taken to court last week. One hundred and thirty-four of them were released after screening.
Lawyer Abdallah Mazrui, who had appeared for the 158, told the court that he needed fresh instructions over the 13 suspects. The suspects were last week charged with being in possession of explosives.
