High Court upholds sentences of two convicts in Westgate terror attack

The High Court in Milimani on Friday upheld the convictions and sentences imposed on two convicts involved in the tragic Westgate Mall terrorist attack that occurred on September 21, 2013.

In a statement issued Saturday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) indicated that the court found that the prosecution had adduced sufficient evidence to support charges against the convicts.

Mohamed Ahmed Abdi and Hussein Hassan Mustafah were charged of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act.

Additionally, Mohamed Ahmed Abdi was convicted of being in possession of an article connected to a terrorism offence.

However, the High Court acquitted them of the charge of giving support to a terrorist group.

Following the testimony of 46 prosecution witnesses, the Trial Court sentenced both convicts to 18 years each for the offence of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, with Mohamed Ahmed Abdi receiving an additional 15 years for possession of a terrorism-related article.

Lady Justice Grace Nzioka upheld the sentences as well as the orders of the Trial Court that the sentences would run consecutively.

The Westgate attack resulted in the deaths of 67 people and injuries to over 200 civilians.