WHAT IS OUR FATE? Aweys Omar and Issa Matan at the Mombasa law courts yesterday. They are suspected of funding terror activities in the country.Photo/Mkamburi Mwawasi
By BY MKAMBURI MWAWASI
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
POLICE yesterday requested the court for twenty days to hold and investigate two Somali men over terrorism.
In his affidavit, officer Philip Tuwei informed the court that he needs to complete his probe on the two suspects who were arrested on Jamhuri Day.
He said Aweys Omar and Issa Matan are suspected of funding terrorism.
“I would like the court to grant me my request, I believe that the two respondents, being Somali citizens are connected with the offence and have information which may assist me in my investigations,” Tuwei said.
He saidthe two were arrested at Likoni Towers in Mombasa county and are being detained at the Port police station.
Tuwei said the investigations will require him to travel to Somalia hence the need for the 20 days.
“Investigations are wide and complex which involves identifying possible hidden accounts within Kenya and abroad,” he said.
However the suspects' lawyer Jared Magolo objected the application.
He said 20 days is a very long time for the officer to undertake his investigations.
Magolo asked the court to be fair and give Tuwei five days to investigate his clients.
He said the applicatiom made by the prosecution is illegal and the police should only be given an extension of the time "only if something genuine comes up".
“Its illegal for my clients to be held in custody for more than seven days since they have not yet been charged. They should be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Magolo said.
He told the court that the prosecution had not given substantial reasons to hold his clients in custody and that their application should be denied.
Chief Magistrate Maxwell Gacheru said he will deliver his ruling today.