Two charged for being Al Shabaab members

Two suspects were Thursday charged for being members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.

Mr Imran Hassan Ahmed alias Babli and Mr Abdul Aziz Ali Sultan had been detained for 27 days pending investigations, along with Mr Hamid Majid Hamid, whose terror charges were dropped.

Mr Ahmed and Mr Sultan denied the five offences of terrorism - which they allegedly committed on June 29 in Malindi town - before Senior Principal Magistrate Silvia Wewa in a Malindi court.

The court heard that on the material day the two suspects were found out as members of the terror group.

They were also charged with being in possession of a video, mobile phones and a HP laptop used to facilitate their terror activities, contrary to Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The court heard that Mr Ahmed was found with a mobile phone that had a video named "Makundi", used to instigate terrorism.

Senior Prosecutor Victor Alenga asked the court to deny the suspects bond on grounds that they were facing serious offences and might abscond court.

“In regard to the sworn affidavit by corporal Mark Juma, the two accused have no fixed place of abode,” he said, adding “investigations have indicated that they have been communicating with people outside the country, who might assist them to escape”.

But the suspects, through their lawyer James Maoko, opposed the application arguing they are citizens with permanent recidence in Mombasa and Malindi.

That notwithstanding, the magistrate directed that they be remanded until August 5 when the ruling will be delivered.

“The homes of the two accused can be traced and they have cooperated with police during investigation,” he added.

On the other hand, Mr Hamid was released on bond of Sh100,000 after he denied attempting to shoot dead a police officer on June 29 in Malindi, during his arrest.

Editing by Philip Momanyi