High Court Judge Martin Muya who delivered the sentence said there was sufficient evidence to prove that Yahya participated in the May 2012 attack that left a guard dead/CFM
MOMBASA, Kenya, Mar 10 – The Main suspect in the 2012 Bella Vista club terrorist attack, Thabit Jamaldin Yahya, has been sentenced to death by a Mombasa Court.
High Court Judge Martin Muya who delivered the sentence said there was sufficient evidence to prove that Yahya participated in the May 2012 attack that left a guard dead.
In his ruling, Justice Muya said the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Yahya was among terrorists who hurled a grenade at the hotel.
America’s Federal Bureau of Investigations was involved in the assembly and examination of exhibits.
Muya ruled that the evidence presented before the court placed the accused at the scene of blast.
While making his ruling the judge said the DNA evidence presented by the FBI indicates that Yahya participated in the attack with the intension of causing death to revellers.
“There is evidence from bomb experts that four grenades were involved in the attack, the deceased was a victim of that attack. The person who hauled the grenade had intension of causing death to revellers and bouncers at the club,” Justice Muya ruled.
Yahya’s lawyer Chacha Mwita said he will appeal the ruling.
Yahya will serve his sentence at Manyani prison in Voi because of security reasons.
According to sources the Al Shabaab group has unsuccessfully attempted to free Yahya from Shimo la Tewa prison.
Yahya is among highly regarded Al Shabaab fighters being held in the country.
Senior ATPU officers said Yahya belonged to a criminal network with links in Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Kenya.
They further said that Yahya had undergone paramilitary training in Saudi Arabia and Somalia, trained in undercover operations, use of explosives, guns, surveillance, bodyguard duties and survival tactics.
Yahya was arrested while undergoing treatment at the Coast General Hospital after a hand grenade accidently exploded near him seriously wounding his left leg.
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