Westgate Attack Ruling: Justice for victims. A boost to synergy between law enforcers and the intelligence community

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1- The successful prosecution of two terror suspects proven to have played a pivotal role in the September 21, 2013 terror attack at the Westgate Shopping mall, it is a testimony of a successful collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community.

This is according to Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutuambai and Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi, convicted Mohammed Ahmed Abdi to 33 years imprisonment while Hussain Hassan Mustafah was slapped with a 18-year jail term.

They were found guilty of “conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism and giving support to a terrorist group.”

The two, prosecution successfully proved, that they helped the lead attacker by facilitating his entry into the country through Uganda, from Somalia.

Thereafter, they surveyed the mall a few days before the attack, procured motor vehicles “and accommodation for the attackers in Eastleigh.”

At the end of a four day siege, 67 people had died while 200 others survived with gunshot injuries.

“The conviction and sentence of the aforementioned accused persons demonstrates our commitment to hold accountable not only persons who commit terrorists acts, but also those who support, aid, abet and facilitate commission of terrorist activities,” reads a joint statement by the IG and DPP.

The two, IG Mutyambai and DPP Haji, said justice for the victims guided how they approached and executed the case that saw 47 witnesses testify before the court.

“This case therefore, is a demonstration that effective and efficient coordination and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community is critical in the fight against organised crime such terrorism,” reads the statement.

“Investigation officers from the National Police Service meticulously and painstakingly examined tons of evidentiary documents and exhibits. These documents established that the attackers and their accomplices were in communication for two months before they executed their plan to attack the Westgate mall.”

And for terrorism and other organised crimes to be defeated, they said, as proven in the Westgate case, a need for collaboration among the players within the criminal justice system.

During the case, Kenya received support from among others the United Kingdom and Israel law enforcement authorities.