Freedom of Worship in Zanzibar: Zanzibar chaos suspects to appear in court

Written by ISSA YUSSUF in Zanzibar

FORTY nine suspects arrested in connection with last week unrest in Zanzibar in which a police officer was killed, will be arraigned on Monday.

The acting Urban/West Regional Police Commander (RPC), Said Juma on Sunday told reporters that the suspects include six people linked to the killing of a police officer identified as F2105 Said Abdulrahman last Wednesday at Bububu area.

“We are also questioning six top leaders of the UAMSHO Islamic propagation group, including Sheikh Farid Hadi Ahmad, before they are charged in court,” Mr Juma said, adding that Uamsho group was linked in the tension and disorders that occurred in Zanzibar’s Stone Town area.

It was calm in Zanzibar . Armed Security Forces (police and Zanzibar units) were seen patrolling streets, amidst preparations for the next Friday Eid celebrations.Eid Al-Adha is a holiday at the end of the Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca which is one of the greatest religious observances in Islam. The Hajj ends on Thursday followed by Eid celebrations.  

Sheikh Farid Hadi Ahmad, a Muslim cleric in Zanzibar, who was reported missing, returned home after disappearing for four days. He claimed to have been abducted by armed and masked men who identified themselves as police officers.

The Commissioner of Police- Zanzibar, Mr Mussa Ali has categorically dismissed the claims, saying that police had no idea of the whereabout of Sheikh Farid.The disappearance caused unrest in the stone town, paralyzing traffic and business as the missing cleric supporters rampaged in the streets. 

Two people including a police officer were killed and several others were injured. Properties worth million of shillings were also destroyed or stolen during the three days of strife.

Source: Daily News (22/10/2012): http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/10755-zanzibar-chaos-suspects-to-appear-in-court