Police probe plot to aid terror suspects escape

The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit has sought 30 days to detain three suspects arrested for allegedly planning the escape of two Iranians jailed over terror related activities.

According to the prosecution preliminary investigations tie Wesley Kiptanui Kipkemoi, Shemgrant Agyei and Robin Bundi Nyangares alongside a senior Iranian diplomat in a conspiracy to illegally free the duo from custody.

This comes as the Iranian embassy denied any plot to have the duo released alleging a plan to tarnish the ambassadors name.

The three suspects among them a Ghanaian national were arraigned before Nairobi Magistrate Peter Ooko facing charges of a plot to have two Iranian nationals jailed for terror links illegally released from custody.

The prosecution sought the courts indulgence to have the trio detained for 30 days to allow them conclude investigations  in the case in which the suspects are believed to have been actively involved in an elaborate plan to have the two prisoners escape after receiving 15 million shillings.

The two Iranian Nationals are currently in custody pending the decision of the Supreme Court following an appeal.

In the miscellaneous application the prosecution argued that the suspects met on diverse dates with a Senior Diplomat at the Iranian Embassy to discuss on how they would aid the escape of the two Iranian nationals.

The Senior Iranian Diplomat is said to have booked a flight with Qatar Airways for three air-tickets where the two Iranian nationals were to travel with him on the 11th February 2019.

The three suspects  are being investigated for several terrorism and related offenses including; Obstruction or hindering the course of justice, Interfering with judicial process , arrangement of meetings in support of terrorist groups and Aiding a prisoner to escape.

The judge will make a ruling on the prosecution’s request to detain them on Tuesday.

The Iranian ambassador to Kenya Dr Hadi Farajvand instead urged the Kenyan government to investigate the suspects who purportedly approached embassy officials seeking to “assist” them in having the duo escape.

The ambassador is accusing the duo of a plot to tarnish his name saying he reported the matter to Kenyan officials.