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Investigation clears 4 from church attack

By Staff Writer

Four suspects -- three Emirati and a Saudi -- who were linked to the May 5 bombing of the Catholic Parish in Olasiti area were  freed last Monday after investigations found that they were not involved in the incident.

The freed persons included Abdul Aziz Mubarak (30), Fouad Saleem Ahmed and Saeed Abdulla Saad (28) all from the United Arab Emirate  and Saeed Mohseens (29) from Saudi Arabia.

Arusha Regional Police Commander Liberatus Sabas confirmed that the release of the foreigners followed thorough investigations conducted by security organs in collaboration with investigators from the US  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Interpol.

“When the file of the suspects reached the office of the Director of Prosecutions in Arusha, it was directed that they should be handed over to the Regional Immigration Office in Arusha to see if the procedures of entering the country were followed,” he said.

He, however, said that the DPP office prepared a charge against Victor Ambrose Kalisti the motorcycle (bodaboda) rider who was nabbed at the scene of the disaster adding that investigations with the other remaining seven suspects continue.

“The other remaining suspects will be brought to court soon after completion of investigations,” he added.

He said the country’s security agencies have teamed up with their counterparts from Kenya and Uganda to carry out investigations on the bombing incident that led to the death of three persons.

“We teamed up with our colleagues from Kenya and Uganda because they have the experience of dealing with such incidents in their countries,” he said, urging Tanzanians to co-operate with the investigators to enable unearth the terrorist network in the country.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Victor Ambroce Kalisti on the same Monday morning appeared before the Arusha Resident Magistrate’s Court and charged in connection with the Church attack  incident .

He appeared before Resident Magistrate Devotha Kamuzora to answer two charges of killing and attempting to kill.

State attorney Zakaria Elisaria claimed before the court that the suspect committed the offence on May 5, this year at St Joseph Mfanyakazi Catholic Parish located at Olasiti on the outskirts of Arusha City.

He claimed that on the first charge Kalisti killed three persons -- Regina Loning’o, James Gabriel Kessy and Patricia Joachim.

On the second charge, the suspect is accused of attempting to kill Neema David, Herbert Njau, Regina David, Consesa Mbaga, Amarin Pius, Atanasia Reginald, Elizabeth Isdory, Alphonce Nyakundi, Joyce Yohana and Genesi Pius.

Others are Teofrida Innocent, Gabriel Godfrey, Manswet Siril Kessy, Editha Ndowo, Loveness Nelson, Dobora Joachim, Mathias Kiya and Restituta Alex Matemu.

The accused wasn't required to enter any plea as the court has no legal mandate to preside over the case.

Elisaria also said that investigation on the case is still continuing and the court postponed it until May 27, this year, when it will come up for another mention.

A huge bomb blast rocked the Arusha church killing three people and injuring more than 60 others.

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