Terror suspect arrested with police college video clips remanded
Administration Police graduates match in a parade during their passing-out ceremony at AP Training College in Embakasi on April 17, 2014. PHOTO/BILLY MUTAI
What you need to know:
- He was allegedly found in possession of an external storage device with video clips of the Administration Police Training College, Embakasi Nairobi
- He was arrested at Olesauli building within Fedha Estate, Nairobi by Anti-Terrorism Police Unit officers in the ongoing swoops
A man charged with collecting crucial information intended for use by terrorists in carrying out attacks has been remanded in prison custody awaiting trial.
Mr Mohammed Abdi Adan, a graduate in Sharia Law from Dharal Olum University of Mogadishu in Somalia, was allegedly found in possession of an external storage device with video clips of the Administration Police Training College (APTC) in Embakasi, Nairobi.
Senior principal magistrate Joseph Karanja heard that the “the information was intended for commission of terrorism acts within the country.”
The prosecutor, Mr Charles Wanjohi, informed the magistrate that Mr Adan was a threat to national security and should not be released on bond until the case is determined.
Mr Adan, 29, came back to the country in 2009 after undergoing university education and majoring in Sharia law and was arrested at the Olesauli building, within Fedha Estate, Nairobi, by Anti-Terrorism Police Unit officers in the ongoing security operation aimed at bringing to book criminals.
Mr Wanjohi told the magistrate the police raids have netted thousands of suspects some of whom have been deported for lack of identification documents.
The prosecutor said Mr Adan posed a great “threat to national security and should be detained in a high security detention prison camp pending the outcome of his trial.”
Mr Karanja allowed the prosecution’s request to have the suspect detained in prison custody.
In his ruling, the magistrate said: "It is in the public interest that the suspect remains in prison custody since individual rights cannot outweigh public good.”
The court also took judicial notice of the recent terrorism activities in the country.
The magistrate said if released on bond, the suspect may jeopardize the trial or even abscond.
Mr Adan was charged with collection of information, contrary to Section 29 of the prevention of terrorism Act No 30 of 2012.
Police say the man was arrested on March 25, 2014, and charged with facilitating the commission of a terrorist act by holding an external storage device that had video clips of the APTC intended for use in terrorism acts in the country.
The case will be heard on June 24.
