Six terror suspects linked to Garissa massacre denied bail

Six terror suspects accused of attacking students at the Garissa University College leaving 147 people dead and many others injured have been denied bail.

The six will now remain in custody until the case is heard and concluded at a Nairobi Court.

Nairobi Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo threw out their bail application saying the prosecution had proven to the court that the six could be a security threat and a danger to the society if released.

“The charges the six suspects are facing are very serious and the court has taken into consideration the punishment they will face should they be found guilty,” Mr Ogembo stated.

Osman Abdi Dakane, Rashid Charles Mberesero a.k.a Rehani Dida, Mohamed Abdi Abikar, Hassan Aden Hassan and Sahal Diriye Hussein are accused of aiding Al-Shabaab militants in their attack at the institution.

They allegedly committed the offence on April 2 and face 152 counts. They are also accused of belonging to the Somali militant Al-Shabaab group. The charges attract a life sentence.

They urged the court to release them on bail for fear that they will be tortured while in custody.

They told the court that they have already suffered from torture as they are kept in water filled cells while blindfolded and their hands tied.

Abirkar, one of the terror suspects pleaded with the trial magistrate for release saying that he is suffering from verbal, physical and psychological torture as he has not been able to sleep for 10 days.

TORTURE CLAIMS

But state counsel Duncan Ondimu denied the torture claims terming the allegations as false.

He urged the court to deny the five bail, saying that if released, they would abscond and fail to turn up for the hearing of their case.

He further said that evidence indicated that the suspects were linked to Al-Shabaab operatives and are connected to the attack.

They were arrested while on their way to Somalia after delivering weapons.

The trial magistrate dismissed the bail application stating that terrorism is a major threat to Kenyans in the country.

“I agree with the prosecution that terrorism is a major threat in the country, and it is still going on. This case is of public interest and court has also considered the lives of 147 students lost in the attack, and concurs with the prosecution that bail should be denied,” Ogembo said.

Hearing will begin on July 28.