allAfrica.com * Scores Arrested in Terror Hunt The Nation (Nairobi) NEWS 15 December 2007 Posted to the web 15 December 2007 By Michael Mugwang'a, Gitonga Marete and Tim Querengesser Nairobi Police have arrested scores of young men in Nairobi and Mombasa in the past two days, in what an officer described as a renewed onslaught on terrorism. The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit combed through Eastleigh and Hazina Estates of Nairobi on Thursday morning, netting more than 30 young men. Sources within the police force confirmed that 28 young men, mainly of Somali origin were rounded up in a dawn swoop in Eastleigh. Following the arrests, Muslim faithful in Nairobi Friday held demonstrations to demand the release of the suspects. The officer landed on Eastleigh estate at 2 am on Thursday and blocked all roads leading out of the area, popularly known as Marie Stoppes ,before breaking into residential plots. At doors to houses, the officers, who seemed to be acting on particular information, knocked identifying themselves before getting in. But when some hesitated or resisted to open their doors, the officers used tear gas canisters, forcing the occupants to open, or broke down the doors. The young men, chosen at random, were then arrested and taken to Pangani police station before some were transferred to other stations. A similar operation in Hazina also netted a number of suspects. By Friday evening, however, a number of those arrested had been set free. But police said one of the suspects arrested in Mombasa yesterday was wanted in connection with the recovery of five hand grenades last October. Coast Provincial Criminal Investigations Officer, Mr Bernard Mate, said the suspect was arrested in his Bakarani hideout following three days of investigations. Police revealed that the suspect and his accomplices had planned to travel out of Mombasa on Monday morning but slipped through a police roadblock, leaving behind a bag containing two Ceska pistols, 24 rounds of ammunition and a hand grenade. Common criminal "We are treating him as a common criminal but investigations into his activities will continue," said Mr Mate. Muslims in Nairobi demonstrated and said one arm of government was intimidating Muslims while the other was "on its knees trying to please Muslims" as it sought votes. "This is a campaign of intimidation," said Mr Al-Amin Kimathi of the Muslims Human Rights Forum. Not surprisingly, the protest took on political dimensions as on the fence at Jamia mosque hang a large sign that read "Muslims for Raila", while the protesters screamed "down with Kibaki". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2007 The Nation. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------