US detainee’s brother released
Mr Juma Khamis and Mrs Mwajuma Rajab, relatives of Mr Mohamed Abdulmalik, who is being held at a US military base in Guantanamo, Cuba. The family feared that Abdulmalik’s younger brother Salim Khamis Khamsin could be detained. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION
What you need to know:
- The officers dealing with the matter refused to divulge any information to journalists.
- He claimed he was not aware that Mr Khamsin’s smartphone had been taken.
- Hours later, they returned him to the station from where he was released at noon.
A cellphone of the brother of a Kenyan man detained at the US military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, was confiscated by police officers sent from Nairobi to Mombasa to interrogate him.
Mr Salim Khamis Khamsin said the officers took his phone and asked for his personal e-mail address, twitter handle and passwords.
Mr Khamsin, the younger brother of Mohamed Abdulmalik, said he was called by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit officers at police headquarters and questioned about his life for hours.
They also wanted to know how he owned a house and a car yet he was jobless.
Mr Khamsin said the officers assured him of his security.
“They said I was clean and let me go but they took my cellphone and ID card. They said I could get them today,” said Mr Khamsin.
The officers dealing with the matter refused to divulge any information to journalists.
“That matter is being handled by our seniors. They are the only ones who can answer what you are asking,” said one of the officers who chose to remain anonymous.
“They told me they would call the OCPD first before they could release the car so I am waiting,” Mr Khamsin said.
Mrs Mwajuma Rajab Abdalla, a step sister of Mr Khamsin, said she was happy he had been released.
“We don’t want his elder brother’s sins to be transferred to him. That is the family’s greatest worry,” she said.
Likoni police chief Robert Murithi said that Mr Khamsin “had not taken his car but the case is now in the hands of the Crimimal Investigation Department and Anti-Terrorism Police. When there is suspicion of terrorism, all the officers must be involved,” Mr Murithi said.
He claimed he was not aware that Mr Khamsin’s smartphone had been taken.
Mr Khamsin’s family said they feared he would be arrested after he was summoned by CID officers on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
They said they were afraid he would be detained or even killed.
“On Sunday night I was called and informed that Salim had been arrested,” said Mrs Abdalla.
She said her brother was taken to the station. The officers later took him to his house and searched it.
Hours later, they returned him to the station from where he was released at noon.
He was told to leave the car at the station.
“The officers accosted me at the beach and asked for my identity card. They told me I was needed for questioning,” Mr Khamsin said.
