A Muslim cleric in Kenya has asked court not to release him from prison despite being acquitted of terrorism charges.



Guyo Gorsa Buru was freed on Thursday, after the court cited lack of evidence. However, he has sought to remain in custody as he fears he could be abducted and killed by state agents.

Garso was arrested in 2018 by the Anti-Terror Police Unit and was subsequently charged with possessing material that promoted a terrorist group and for collaborating with Somalia-based al-Shabab militants, the BBC reported.

Milimani chief magistrate Wendy Micheni ordered that he could stay at the prison for a period not exceeding 30 days after which he would be set free.
Earlier, the court ruled that the state had failed to prove its case against Buru.

His lawyer, John Khaminwa, has asked the High Court for the guarantee of state protection for his client once freed.

While the cleric awaits a ruling, Justice Micheni said he would have to pay the government for his stay at Kamiti Maximum Prison.

In his application to be detained, the cleric said people who have been acquitted of terrorism charges have been abducted, killed or disappeared without a trace.

"There are numerous cases of people being charged with offences under the terrorism act who have been acquitted and have later on been found dead. So he's quite justified in holding the view that he could be eliminated," Khaminwa told the BBC.