`Uamsho` leaders in security breach charge, denied bail

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

Zanzibar Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ibrahim Mzee Ibrahim yesterday denied bail for leaders of the Islamic Revival Forum (Uamsho) who appeared at the High Court charged with new counts including incitement, destruction of properties and endangering national security.

Public Prosecutor, Raya Mselem stated that DPP has powers to deny bail to a suspect in accordance with Chapter 47, Section 19 (1)(2) of the National Security Act of 2000.

He told the court that the bailout for Uamsho leaders has been withheld by the DPP and that they will only be bailed out once the DPP nullifies his stance in writing.

“Zanzibar DPP has rejected bail for the suspects in the national interest”, said the Prosecutor.

Earlier, the suspects were to be taken to Mwanakwerekwe District Court with the aim of getting updates on their bail application through case No 380 that was filed on October 22, 2012.

The suspects arrived at the High Court in Vuga by mid morning being escorted by armed police who were in four vehicles with numbers PT 1891, PT 1457, T 198 AMV and PT 0873.

The Prosecutor further stated that Uamsho leaders are accused of causing destruction of properties worth 500m/- between October 17 and 18 this year at different places within Mjini Magharibi district.

Sheikh Azzan Khalid Hamdan is charged with four counts while others are facing three counts each.

According to the High Court Registrar, George Kazi the suspects were not required to respond to any of the charges until their case is assigned a specific Judge.

However the suspects through Sheikh Farid Hadi Ahmed requested the Registrar to grant them bail because it was their right.

Another suspect Sheikh Mselem Ali Mselem told the High Court that since Zanzibar is a democratic state, there were no reasons for the government to deny them bail.

Speaking to journalists outside the court, Advocates Salum Tawfiq and Abdallah Juma blamed the police over delays to bring the suspects to court. They said police were to bring the suspects to court by 8am but they were late for almost four hours. On Tuesday this week Uamsho leaders appeared before Mwanakwerekwe District Court in Zanzibar charged with several counts including incitement, causing chaos, and breach of peace and misunderstandings in the Isles.

They included, Sheikh Farid Hadi Ahmed, Sheikh Mselem Ali Mselem (52) of Kwamtipura, Sheikh Mussa Juma Issa (37) and Suleiman Juma Suleiman (39) of Makadara, Sheikh Azzan Khalid Hamdan (43) of Mfenesini, Hassan Bakari Suleiman (39) of Tomondo and Khamis Ali Suleiman.

They were all remanded in custody pending decision on their bail.

Reading the charges, Public Prosecutor Maulid Ame Mohamed claimed that on August 17, this year at 5pm, the leaders allegedly incited and caused chaos contrary to Sections 45(10)(a) and (b) of the Criminal Procedures Act Number 6 of 2004.

Before arraignment, ‘Uamsho’ leaders spent two days in the hands of the police as they underwent interrogation.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (26/10/2012): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=47320