Muhuri wants Tana suspects charged

Saturday, October 27, 2012 - 00:00 -- BY ALPHONCE GARI

The Muslim For Human Rights plans to seek court orders compelling the police to charge 17 people suspected to have perpetrated the Tana Delta clashes.

Muhuri said the suspects were arrested more than a month ago but have not been charged. Yunus Said, a senior human rights officer at Muhuri based in Shimo la Tewa Prison, said in Malindi that the 17 were arrested on September 17 and that the last time they were in court was on September 24, 2012.

“The suspects were first detained at Gamba police station and Garsen police station and appeared at Garsen law courts but police applied for more time to complete their investigations," he said.

The suspects are Ade Aman Ali, Ali Mohamed, Ali Said , Abdalla Kokani, Said Bakari, Ali Kokani, Maembe Komora, Ali Daku, Omar Daku, and Bahola Mashaka.

Others are Ali Omara, Ali Madubi, Hirbae M Omar, Abdalla Balozi, Jilo Choe, Abdala Bashora and Wachu Bashora. Yunu said they want the suspects to be transferred from Shimo Latewa to Malindi Prison as Garsen is too far from Mombasa.

“The suspects are currently suffering in the remand prison. We are going to court to seeking the orders for them to appear for plea," he said. The law stipulates that suspects are remanded 14 days plus the time the court gives for investigations.

Yunus said the delay in conducting investigations against the suspects has violated their rights. At the same time Muhuri has filed an application to the judicial commission probing the Tana Delta clashes seeking to make submissions during the hearings.

Muhuru made the request in a letter dated October 25 and signed by executive assistant Uba Suleiman. “We are aware that you are currently receiving submissions as per your legal mandate. Muhuri hereby wishes to be accorded a chance to make submissions to your task force, we trust this shall contribute to your mission of unearthing the truth behind the clashes and promote justice to the victims of clashes,’’ said the letter in part.

Muhuri is a Non Governmental organization based in Coast and began operations in 1997 to enhance the struggle for human rights with a view to contributing towards the national and international efforts to promote and protect the enjoyment of Human Rights and civil liberty.