Three found guilty of Garissa University terror attack, set for sentencing

Three found guilty of Garissa University terror attack, set for sentencing

A Nairobi court on Wednesday convicted three persons and acquitted one over the Garissa University terror attack that saw 156 people dead.

The court convicted the three – Mohammed Abdi Abdikar, Hassan Edin Hassan and Rashid Mberesero – for charges of being members of Al Shabab, committing a terrorist act and conspiracy to commit terrorism.

“Prosecution has proved it’s case beyond any reasonable doubt,” ruled Trial Magistrate Francis Andayi, adding that the three were in communication with the attackers and knew of the plot.

“The court finds that they knew the plot and were part of the attackers as they were arrested while travelling from Garissa two days after the attack,” added Magistrate Andayi.

While convicting the three, the magistrate noted that the attack was carried out as an attempt to coerce the government into removing the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) from Somalia.

According to the court, the 5th accused person – Rashid Mberesero – led the attackers to the institution since he never explained the reasons as to why he was on scene when people were being asked to leave.

“He remained in the hostel when everyone had left and could not satisfactorily explain why he was there,” the court noted.

Meanwhile, the third accused person – Sahal Diriy Hussein – was acquitted of all the charges against him.

“The third accused is person not guilty, prosecution has not proved its case,” ruled the magistrate.

Sentencing of the convicted persons was set for July 3, 2019, with prosecutor Duncan Ondimu saying he will be seeking the maximum penalty.

Over 22 witnesses testified in the case among them students and experts.

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KDF Garissa University Magistrate Francis Andayi Terror Attack AL-SHABAB

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