Youths arrested in mosque raid to be held in jail
What you need to know:
- The five youths were arrested with five grenades when police raided Musa Mosque in Mombasa last month, the court heard.
- The five had asked not to be transferred to Shimo la Tewa, saying they had bought bedding and other things which they were using at Port Police Station where they were detained.
Five youths will be detained at Shimo la Tewa Prison to await a ruling on their bail application on charges of having explosives.
The five youths were arrested with five grenades when police raided Musa Mosque in Mombasa last month, the court heard.
They had applied for release on bond after the prosecution said it had completed its investigations.
However, prosecuting counsel Paul Makonge objected to their release on bond, saying they were a danger to society.
“We should not release them as we fear for the security of the residents because just Wednesday, another six youths were arrested following the stabbing to death of a watchman in Majengo,” Mr Makonge told the court.
BOUGHT BEDDINGS
The five had asked not to be transferred to Shimo la Tewa, saying they had bought bedding and other things which they were using at Port Police Station where they were detained.
“We plead to be taken back to Port Police Station because we have medicines and other stuff that we bought after the police refused to provide us with these things,” said one of the accused.
Mr Makonge, however, said there were adequate facilities at Shimo la Tewa.
He said since investigations were complete, the suspects should now be transferred to Shimo la Tewa.
The court will rule Friday on whether the five will be released on bond.
Meanwhile, eight other youths arrested at Sakina Mosque at the same time and charged with being members of Al-Shabaab and possession of a pistol will appear in court for the hearing of their case on January 30.
