Kenya: Iranian Terror Suspects Now Face Fresh Charges

By Susan Muhindi

TWO Iranian nationals arrested over terrorism links were yesterday charged afresh after the state preferred more charges against them. They were initially charged with two counts. According to the charge sheet, the two put an explosive substance at the Mombasa Golf Course with intent to harm golf players in June. The second charge stated that they were found with RDX explosives in circumstances that indicated they were armed with intent to commit a felony. The third count was that were found in possession of explosives for an unlawful project. The two were last week granted a Sh2 million cash bail each with a surety of Sh56 million each.

Principal magistrate Paul Biwott ruled that the suspects’ constitutional rights outweigh the fears that were raised by the prosecution. Yesterday also marked the beginning of the trial case. An officer with the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit testified against the two. Sergeant Kennedy Musyoki told the court how they intercepted, arrested and escorted the two Iranians to ATPU headquarters for further interrogation. He also told the court he did a search on the two suspects, a move termed as illegal by the defense since the officer did not have a search warrant.

Musyoki further told the court the Iranians were conversant with English as they used the language to interrogate them. He said Ahmad Mohammad could communicate English fluently. The two are alleged to have arrived in Kenya on June 12 through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and proceeded to Mombasa the same day to receive the explosive materials. It is according to the investigating officer’s affidavit, they then travelled back to Nairobi from Mombasa on June 16 after receiving the explosives from an accomplice who is still at large. – The Star

Posted by admin on Jul 24 2012. Filed under African News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry