Charges against Somali Islamic financier dropped in Kenya

Feb 16, 2007 (NAIROBI) — Kenyan prosecutors have dropped illegal immigration charges against a wealthy Somali businessman accused of financing Somalia’s Islamist movement.

Kenyan authorities arrested Abukar Omar Aden and his son on the border between Kenya and Somalia last month after Ethiopia-backed Somali transitional government troops routed the former powerful Islamists in December.

The prosecutors confirmed on Friday they had dropped charges on Thursday for the 72-year-old Aden who had pleaded guilty to being in Kenya illegally but argued that he should be given protection because he was fleeing for his life.

Prosecutor Vincent Wohoro did not give a reason why the charges against Aden were dropped but said he was set free following instructions from the country’s Attorney-General Amos Wako.The wheelchair-bound Aden is believed to have been a major source of funding for Somalia’s now-defeated Supreme Council of Islamic Courts.

The Islamic courts held power over much of Somalia last year before their forces were defeated in a December offensive by Somali government and Ethiopian troops.

Kenya has arrested a number of individuals suspected of aiding the Islamists who controlled much parts of central and southern Somalia until late December.

Some remain in custody, while others have been deported back to Somalia.

Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, when warlords overthrew a dictator and turned on each other. The government was formed two years ago with the help of the United Nations, but was weakened by internal rifts.

The intervention of Ethiopia prompted a military advance that was a stunning turnaround for the administration, which is struggling to assert control in this chaotic country.

(Xinhua)