Suspected Garissa attack financier to stay in custody
A Muslim cleric alleged to have financed the Garissa University College terrorist attack has been detained by police.
Sheikh Hassan Mahati Omar will remain in custody after the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit on Monday got a 30-day extended detention order at a Milimani criminal court.
Police told the court that he has “close links” with Mr Mohammed Kuno, alias Sheikh Mahammad, alias Dulydin, alias Garmadhere, the Al-Shabaab leader in the Juba region of Somalia.
The Al-Shabaab leader allegedly masterminded the April 2 terrorist attack in which 148 people were killed.
FINANCING TERRORISM
Police said Mr Omar and a Mr Ali Hassan Gure, who is yet to appear in court, “are involved in the financing of terrorism”.
“These are prominent personalities who are believed to be key terrorism financiers,” a prosecutor said.
The court heard that the antiterrorism unit believes that Mr Omar and Mr Gure were in constant communication with known, local Al-Shabaab adherents.
The unit sought time to contact a mobile phone service provider and the financial crimes unit at the Central Bank to shed light on their communication and financial transactions.
EXODUS
The court was told Mr Omar is believed to be involved in the radicalisation of youths and facilitating their “exodus” to Somalia.
“The respondent is also believed to have obtained his identification card through fraudulent means. His presence during investigations is crucial,” the unit said.
A sworn affidavit presented before the court states that Mr Omar was arrested at his residence in Eastleigh on April 17 while Mr Gure was seized around Thika Road Mall on April 19.
Mr Omar will be detained at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison until May 20.