Westgate Four to stay in custody ‘for own safety’

A view of the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi on February 16, 2014. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mohammed Ahmed Abdi, Mr Liban Abdullah, Mr Adnan Ibrahim and Mr Hussein Hassan have been accused of direct and indirect involvement in the September 21 attack
  • None of the men is accused of being the actual gunman in the shopping mall on the fateful day

Four men in court over last year’s Westgate shopping mall terror attack will “remain in custody for their own safety”.

Acting Nairobi chief magistrate Daniel Ochenja dismissed the suspects’ second request for bail on Thursday, telling them that they were better off in custody “as the public might lynch you” if released.

He also stated that his other reason for denying bond was that the suspects faced serious charges which attract life imprisonment if convicted.

Mr Mohammed Ahmed Abdi, Mr Liban Abdullah, Mr Adnan Ibrahim and Mr Hussein Hassan have been accused of direct and indirect involvement in the September 21 attack in which 67 people were killed and more than 200 others injured.

The prosecution says they carried out the attack with the help of accomplices who either perished or escaped during a rescue operation at the mall by security forces.

CONTACT WITH ASSAILANTS

Mr Adnan is further charged with offering shelter to the attackers in Eastleigh, Nairobi, and is believed to have been in contact with the assailants prior to and after the siege.

However, none of the men is accused of being the actual gunman in the shopping mall on the fateful day. The prosecution has incessantly opposed their release on bond, citing security fears and interference with witnesses.

The trial continues next month.