Sadiq Louw’s family deny police report linking him to terrorism
Mr Abubakar Sadiq Louw who police on November 28, 2015 claimed was spying for an Iranian terror group and planning terror attacks on major installations in Nairobi. His family has denied the allegations. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Inspector General of Police had earlier on Saturday morning issued a statement to the media claiming that police had arrested two suspects who were planning to stage attacks in Kenya.
- She said the police had been interrogating the family and had even told the family on Thursday, a day before Mr Boinett made the statement, that he would be released as investigations showed that he had no connection with any criminal activities.
- Although Mr Boinnet said that police are working with international investigators to investigate whether the two Kenyans he said had been arrested worked for the Iranian Government or not, he reiterated that police were looking for their other accomplices and recruits.
The family of a 69 year old Kenyan whom police claimed has been spying for an Iranian terror group has denied the allegations.
Inspector General of Police had earlier on Saturday morning issued a statement to the media claiming that police had arrested two suspects who were planning to stage attacks in Kenya.
But the family of Mr Abubakar Sadiq Louw claim that the statements by police were baseless and were just a Public Relations strategy.
His daughter, Nosheen Louw, said his father had nothing to do with terrorism and that he was being victimised for no reason.
“Our father was actually hijacked a month ago as he went to buy some things from a shop in Ngumo where we live. For four days, we did not know where he was kept and when we did, the police asked us to stop posting anything concerning him on social media, as that would complicate the matter,” Abubakar’s daughter, Nosheen Louw said.
She said the police had been interrogating the family and had even told the family on Thursday, a day before Mr Boinett made the statement, that he would be released as investigations showed that he had no connection with any criminal activities.
“We have visited him severally in police cells and he is very depressed because of what he is going through,” she said adding that the family was concerned about his health.
Nosheen has initiated a campaign on social media with an aim of petitioning the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the civil society and other human rights bodies to intervene.
Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet had claimed that the two, Abubakar, 69 and Yassin Sambai Juma, 25, were conspiring to mount terror attacks against western targets in Kenya.
He said the two have admitted to have been planning to stage attacks on hotels in Nairobi, frequently used by tourists, businessmen and diplomats.
“Upon interrogation, Abubakar Sadiq Louw admitted recruiting young Kenyans to spy and mount terror attacks in Nairobi,” Mr Boinnet said.
He said the police are working closely with the Muslim community to determine threats and locate anyone who may be targeting Kenyan interests.
“These people are being monitored and will be dealt with at the discretion of the police and in accordance with the law,” the police boss said at a Press Conference on Saturday morning.
Although Mr Boinnet said that police are working with international investigators to investigate whether the two Kenyans he said had been arrested worked for the Iranian Government or not, he reiterated that police were looking for their other accomplices and recruits.
The police boss said the two are still being interrogated, in a bid to find others who may still be free and also to establish their mission.
