Ms Hussein Sara Hassan in a Mombasa court. She is accused of recruiting
five youth to join Al-Shabaab. PHOTO | lABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA
GROUP
Police in Mombasa have been allowed to hold a woman accused of
recruiting five youth to join the Al-Shaabab militant group pending
investigations.
Mombasa Senior Principle Magistrate
Richard Odenyo on Friday allowed the application by investigating
officer in the case Mr Charles Mwai to have Ms Hassan Sarah Hussein and
the five recruits remanded at Port Police Station for seven days.
According to an affidavit filed in court, the suspects were arrested on July 30 at Bondeni in Mombasa County.
The
affidavit further indicates that Ms Hussein recruited Mr Abdifath
Hassan, Mr Ali Abdulahi Ismael Sheik, Mr Muhamed Isack Muhume Ibrahim
,Mr Ali Hassan Abubakar and Mr Aweys Mohammed Shee to be members of
Al-Shabaab.
The police told the court that the suspects
are linked to the Al-Shabaab sympathisers, who have been aiding in
youth recruitment in the region.
“I do believe that the
six suspects, who are Somali citizens, are connected with the offence
or have information which may assist me in my investigations” Mr Mwai
told the court
He added that preliminary investigations indicates that there is sufficient evidence linking the suspects to the terror group.
However, the suspects opposed the application to have them remanded claiming they are innocent.
Ms Hassan admitted to have travelled to Somalia.
“I
have been to Somalia numerous times. I came back about two weeks ago
but that doesn’t mean I am a citizen of that country, and also it
doesn’t mean I am linked to Al-Shabaab,” she said
“I
object to the application. I was arrested at my mother’s kiosk when I
was helping her do some chores. Holding me for seven days will waste my
time” Mr Abdifath told the court.
Mr Abdifath told the court that he is a Kenyan citizen and has passport and identification card to support his claims.
The case will be mentioned on August 7.
No comments :
Post a Comment