Two detained for ‘plotting terror attacks’ in Kenya

Aweis Amin (left) and Aboud Said at the Mombasa Law Courts yesterday on terror-related charges after they were arrested while, allegedly, conducting surveillance at Kongowea AIC Church. The court ordered that they be detained at Nyali Police Station for 10 days to allow police to complete investigations.[ PHOTO: KELVIN KARANI/STANDARD]

Police are holding two men they arrested on suspicion that they have links with Al Shabaab terror group and were plotting terror attacks.

The officers claim they arrested the men on Sunday as they were conducting surveillance on the AIC Church in Kongowea.

Aboud Said and Alwes Amir were arrested by officers from Nyali Police Station.

The two were arraigned before Principal Magistrate Viola Yator who ruled that the suspects be detained at the police station for 10 days to allow the State to complete investigations.

Investigating officer Bernard Kingori had, in sworn affidavit, sought the court's permission to detain the two suspects for him to conduct further investigations.

TWO SHEIKHS

"The State has requested for the detention of the two suspects to wind up investigations and the two have no objection to it," said Yator.

Mr Kingori said the suspects have crucial information that can assist the State unearth terror activities in the region following recent terror threats.

"We believe the two are well connected to a terror group after they were arrested mapping out the AIC Church in Kongowea and they have information that may assist police in unearthing planned terror activities," said Kingori.

The investigating officer further told the court that investigations are wide and complex and he would like to get more details on the suspects and their networks before they can be charged.

Kingori said the suspects were arrested after the public tipped the police when they saw the two spending time at the said church.

Police are also detaining two sheikhs suspected to be terror agents with links with Al Shabaab.

The sheikhs are alleged to have been recruiting youths into the terror group.

Khalid Mohammed, one of the sheikhs, is  a radical Muslim cleric denounced by the Mlango Wa Papa Mosque committee for his radical preaching.

He was arrested at his house in Bondeni on May 23. Police say they recovered a hand grenade, plastic multiplier explosives, detonator, passports and CDs believed to contain inciting materials.

Salim Mohammed Wambwile, a sheikh at Liwatoni Mosque in Ganjoni, was arrested for allegedly recruiting seven boys from Gadini Primary School in Kaloleni into the terror group.

The suspects are scheduled to appear in court for mention on July 9.