NAIROBI – A 32-year-old Canadian citizen has been officially charged with terrorism-related offenses following a violent attack at a mosque in Nairobi, Kenya. The incident, which occurred in February, left five people injured after the suspect allegedly entered the place of worship under the guise of being a fellow worshipper. According to the Kenyan Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the man waited until he was inside to lock the main doors from the interior, trapping the congregants before launching an attack with a machete.
Appearing in court on Thursday, the suspect pleaded not guilty to nine separate counts, including terrorism and assault. While the victims were treated at a local hospital for their injuries, the police confirmed that the weapon used in the assault has been successfully recovered as evidence. The prosecution has emphasized the premeditated nature of the act, highlighting the suspect’s attempt to seal off the exits before the violence began.
The suspect is currently being held at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison as the legal process moves forward. He has been remanded in custody pending a formal report regarding his eligibility for bail. The court is expected to reconvene at the end of this month to review that report and determine the next steps in the trial, while investigators continue to look into the suspect’s background and potential motives for the attack.
