Israel accuses Iran of plotting attacks in Kenya

Two Iranians arrested in Nairobi a fortnight ago were part of a Tehran-sponsored terror network that planned attacks on Israeli interests, Israel has claimed.

Other attacks on Israeli targets had been planned and executed in Azerbaijan, Thailand, Georgia and India, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

He accused Iran of also being behind the foiled assassination attempt on the Saudi Arabian ambassador in the United States.

The Israeli claims are likely to test relations between Kenya and Iran. The two countries have moved to deepen bilateral ties in recent months.

Only last month, they signed a multi-billion-shilling deal under which Iran will supply Kenya with cheap oil.

Under the agreement, Kenya will import four million tonnes of Iranian crude oil annually, Energy permanent secretary Patrick Nyoike said on Monday.

Mr Nyoike refused to comment on how the deal sits with US and European Union sanctions against Iranian oil exports.

There are reports that the increasing ties between Nairobi and Tehran were causing jitters in the US and Europe, which have slapped sanctions on Iran because of its nuclear weapons programme and alleged sponsorship of terrorism.

“Iranian terrorism knows no borders,” the Israeli leader said in a statement from his Jerusalem office.

“The international community must fight against this major player in the world of terrorism.

“After Iran sent its agents to murder the Saudi ambassador on US soil, the country has now engaged in attacks in Azerbaijan, Bangkok, in Tbilisi, in New Delhi, and now we have just discovered a plot for a terrorist attack in Africa,” said Mr Netanyahu.

The attacks in Bangkok, Tbilisi and New Delhi targeted Israeli diplomats. In Nairobi on Tuesday, police said the two Iranians — Mr Ahmad Abolfathi Mohammed and Mr Sayed Mansour Mousav — had given them enough information to scuttle their terrorist plans.

The Iranians led police to a hideout in Mombasa where they seized 15kg of RDX, an explosive material.

The RDX was in two grey rucksacks, neatly wrapped in blue polythene bags. It was recovered near the Mombasa Golf Club.

Attempts to get a comment from the Iranian embassy in Nairobi were unsuccessful.

The Iranians denied two counts of preparing to commit a felony and being in possession of RDX, when they appeared before Nairobi senior principal magistrate PC Biwott.

“We ask this court to release us on bond because we are innocent. Police took away our money and we have been tortured,” they told the court.

Coast provincial police boss Aggrey Adoli said the two had given them information to help in dismantling the terror network in the country.

Meanwhile, police on Tuesday said they were questioning 30 people in connection with Sunday’s twin attacks on churches in Garissa town which killed 17 people.

North Eastern deputy police boss Philip Ndolo said the suspects were being interrogated by Anti-Terrorism police.

“We have mounted a security operation within and outside Garissa town to ensure those behind the attacks are apprehended,” he said and called for witnesses who were outside the church compound to assist police with information.

Muslim and Christian leaders in Garissa held a joint press conference and urged the police to speed up investigations and arrest those behind the heinous act.

Led by Dujis MP Aden Duale, the leaders said it was a great injustice for the killers to escape without being punished.

He urged the government to ensure all illegal firearms in the hands of civilians were seized.

The Rev John Mwaura, chairman of Garissa pastors fellowship, said religious leaders from both faiths were united in preaching peace.

He called for heightened security to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Mr Hussein Mahat, the secretary of the Council of Imams, urged Christians to continue praying in churches without fear.

‘‘This Sunday we will be with you at the church compound, your peace is our peace and let’s be united against the devils who are out to destroy our peace,’’ said Mr Mahat.

Muslim leaders, he said, would raise funds to help those affected and the families who lost their loved ones.

The Garissa attack was the deadliest since Kenyan troops crossed the border into Somalia last October to fight the Al-Shabaab militants.

Kenyan troops, who have since joined the African Union mission, are said to be closing in on the terrorists’ main base in Kismayu, with an August deadline to capture the port city.

The Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for grenade attacks in Garissa, Wajir, Mombasa and Nairobi on several occasions.

The terrorists have threatened more attacks to force Kenyan troops to leave Somalia.