Monday, May 06, 2013
Two Iranians have been sentenced to life in prison on
terror-related charges, including the possession of explosives allegedly
to be used in bomb attacks.
"I shudder to imagine the amount of damage that could have been seen," judge Kiarie Waweru Kiarie told the court in Nairobi.
Ahmed Mohammed and Sayed Mansour, who were
arrested last June, were found guilty of possessing 15 kilos (33 pounds)
of the powerful explosive RDX.
The court said they had suspected links to a terror network planning bombings in Mombasa and Nairobi.
"I have considered their individual pleas," Kiarie
said, but then added that the "cry of victims of previous terrorist
attacks is louder."
The men, who denied the charges, are said to have hidden the explosives in Mombasa.
Defence lawyers alleged the suspects were
interrogated by Israeli security officers while in Kenyan detention,
claims dismissed by the prosecution.
The accusation followed a declaration by Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who shortly after the two were
charged said Iran was plotting attacks against Israel in Kenya.