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Three Tanzanians face terrorism charges against Kenya, Somalia

Tuesday March 10 2015
Al-Shabaab

Militants of Al Shabaab train with weapons on a street in the outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia. Three Tanzanian suspects appeared before a Dar es Salaam court facing various charges including facilitating terrorism in Kenya and Somalia. PHOTO | FILE |

Three Tanzanian suspects appeared before a Dar es Salaam court Tuesday facing various charges including facilitating terrorism in foreign countries.

Nassor Ally, Juma Zuberi and Jihad Swalehe, who were charged at Kisutu Resident Magistrate Court in Dar, before judge Hellen Riwa, are accused of aiding in the planning of attacks in Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania.

The prosecution led by Senior State Attorney Peter Njike said Mr Swalehe in various places within Dar es Salaam communicated with other persons – Nero of Turkey and Dacosta of Portugal – seeking material, financial and expertise assistance for the purpose of executing a plan to detonate explosives in Kenya. The accused is alleged to have committed the offence between March 21, 2013 and June 2, 2014.

Mr Ally is accused of participating in a military training, in Doble area within Kismayu, aimed at overthrowing the legitimate government of Somalia on diverse dates between October 2000 and January 30, 2001.

He is further alleged to have, on diverse dates between May 2013 and August 23, 2014 at Nguu Forest in Gombero area within Muheza District in Tanga, supported communication of a terrorist group, which was offering training to persons, who were not before the court, on the use of weapons with intention to commit terrorist attacks in Tanzania.

Mr Zuberi is alleged to have committed the offence on the same date at a mosque in Dar es Salaam.

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On his part, Mr Zuberi is accused of sheltering Mr Ally and others at his business premise at Kichangani mosque in Magomeni area, where the planning of the Nguu forest training took part.

The trio was however not allowed to enter any plea because the court has no jurisdiction to hear such cases. The case would later be transferred to the High Court.

Mr Njike informed the court that the investigations were still ongoing.

The trio will be remanded until March 23 when the case will come up for another mention.

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