Two more charged with murder in Lamu attacks
Mr Mahadi Swaleh alias Jesus (left) and Dyana Salim share a word with their lawyer Taib Ali Taib at the High Court in Mombasa on July 30, 2014. They are accused of killing 60 people in Mpeketoni, Lamu County. They were denied bail. The hearing is on September 8. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT
What you need to know:
- Men not required to plead to the charges since it was their first appearance in court.
- Separately, the court declined to release on bond Mr Mahadi Swaleh Mahadi who is facing 60 counts of murder in relation to the attacks.
Two more people were on Wednesday charged with 12 counts of murder in relation to the recent Lamu attacks.
Messrs Swaleh Shebe Auni and Joseph Chege Kimani were not required to plead to the charges since it was their first appearance in court.
Mr Justice Martin Muya directed that the accused be taken for psychiatric examination before taking a plea.
Defence lawyer Yusuf Abubakar said Mr Auni was arrested on July 23, and had been in custody until Wednesday, hence he ought to be released.
But senior assistant director of public prosecution Edwin Okello opposed the application, saying the accused had been arrested on July 27, and that there were no violations of his rights.
The judge said there was the need for a formal application for parties to canvas before the court. The case will be mentioned next Tuesday.
The are accused of murdering Messrs Mzee Enock, Kombe Kiti, Enock Sila, Kenga Ngoma, Justin Chege, Abednego Kyalo, Raphael Muigai, Ken Mngara, Stephen Gichubi, Lawrance Kingori, John Karisa and Goyo Kenga on the night of July 5 and 6 this year in Hindi Location.
Separately, the court declined to release on bond Mr Mahadi Swaleh Mahadi who is facing 60 counts of murder in relation to the attacks.
“This court is satisfied the charges facing the accused are serious hence a strong incentive to abscond court,” said Mr Muya.
He said court took judicial notice that some with terror-related suspects had died in mysterious circumstances upon their release on bond.
The case will be heard on September 8.
