Concerns Raised Over Arrest and Extraordinary Rendition of Kenyan Suspect in Terrorism Case
Mombasa – Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), along with the family and legal representation of Zakariya Kamala Abashiekh, have expressed deep concerns regarding his arrest by the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) in Mombasa on Monday.
Abashiekh, a Kenyan national, was forcefully apprehended on September 6, 2023, in Mombasa’s Central Business District by individuals bearing the hallmarks of ATPU officers, as shown in CCTV footage released by MUHURI.
Since his arrest, Zakariya Kamala Abashiekh has been missing, despite his family’s efforts to secure a court order for the police to present him in court.
However, Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) recently announced that Abashiekh had been apprehended in Somalia on Sunday.
NISA alleges that the 28-year-old Somali national is a notorious arms dealer, suspected of supplying weapons and explosives to al-Shabaab militants operating in Somalia.
According to NISA, Abashiekh had been under the agency’s surveillance for an extended period before his arrest. He was apprehended as he attempted to flee to regions controlled by the militant group.
Moreover, NISA claims that Abashiekh not only engaged in arms dealing but also orchestrated a clandestine network specializing in smuggling military equipment from abroad.
Before his disappearance and subsequent arrest in Somalia, Abashiekh had faced arrest in the coastal town of Mombasa on charges of supporting terrorism in Somalia.
He was released on bond under the condition of reporting to the police weekly, which he diligently adhered to, according to MUHURI.
MUHURI has called upon the Kenyan government to promptly produce Abashiekh in a Kenyan court and to uphold the rule of law.
The organization questions the government’s use of force during his arrest and the extraordinary rendition of a Kenyan citizen to Somalia.
Abashiekh stands accused of involvement in events in May when NISA’s security forces intercepted numerous illicit shipments at both the port and airport in Mogadishu.
The seized contraband dealt a significant blow to his operation and exposed the extent of activities by al-Shabaab militants.
NISA has affirmed that Sakariye Kamal will soon face trial for his alleged crimes, emphasizing that those who aid and abet militants will be held accountable under the law.
Investigating officers handling his case view the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the collective fight against terrorism in Somalia.