Three terror suspects linked to Mandera massacres remanded

FROM LEFT: Terror suspects Musa Daudi Hassan, Maslah Daudi Hassan and Shukri Abdi Salat at Milimani Law Courts yesterday to answer to charges of December terror attacks in Mandera. [Photo: David Njaaga/Standard]

Three suspected members of Al-Shabaab who were arrested in possession of mobile phones and several SIM cards of the victims of the Mandera twin terror attacks have been remanded for two weeks to allow police complete investigations

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Ellena Nderitu remanded Musa Hassan, Maslah Hassan and Shukri Salat for 14 days after prosecution asked to be granted 20 days.

"After considering the prosecution's application, there is need for further investigations to establish how the victims' mobile phones came into possession of the suspects. I direct they remain in custody until police complete probe into their alleged involvement in the attacks," she said.

She directed the three, who are believed to be Somali nationals, to remain in custody until February 19, when the court is going to issue further directions on whether they will plead to terror-related charges.

Through a Somali interpreter, Prosecutor Isiah Mwiranga told the court that the three are linked to the December 2, 2014 terror attack on a Mandera-bound bus in which 24 died and the quarry massacre on December 22 in which 64 people died.

Mwiranga said the suspects, who were arrested on January 29 are believed to be Al-Shabaab members. He said they are believed to be working closely with the alleged mastermind of Mandera attacks Salim Abubakar Kitonga, who is already in custody awaiting to be charged. He also noted the suspects are believed to be directly connected to the frequent terror attacks in Mandera.

The prosecutor told the court that the suspects were trailed through a tracking system and were later arrested at Garbaqoley in Mandera, after they were found in possession of three mobile phones.