Tanzanian charged over links to terror

A Tanzanian who was arrested by Anti-Terror Police Unit officers while allegedly heading to Somalia for training with Al Shabaab, has been charged with admitting to be a member of a terrorist group.

Abdulaziz Abdullahi Sultan alias Mohammed Abdalla, 22, appeared before Garissa Resident Magistrate Victor Asiyo yesterday for professing to be an Al Shabaab member, contrary to section 24 of the prevention of terrorism act 2012.

He was arrested at Modika police barrier, 10km from Garissa town by officers on patrol. The prosecution said Mr Sultan entered the country through the border town of Lunga Lunga on May 4.

He was remanded at Garissa Police Station for two weeks as investigations continue. The case will be mentioned on May 25, 2015 and heard on July 13. Sultan becomes the second Tanzanian to be arrested and arraigned in court following the heinous Garissa attack where 148 people, most of them students, were killed.

Another Tanzanian, Richard Charles Mberesero, was allegedly arrested in one of the hostels during the students' massacre. He is still being held by police. A dusk-to-dawn curfew, which should have ended on April 16, is still in force.