Judge Fatma Hamid Mahmoud of the Zanzibar High Court, on Friday granted bail to the ten Muslim leaders accused of instigating violence in 2012.
The clerics who are members of the Islam Propagation group known as Uamsho may continue to remain in the Islands’ maximum Prison at Kilimani due to difficulties related to meeting the bail conditions which include depositing 25m/- each.
Other bail conditions are: Three sureties with at least one of them possessing immovable property worth 25m/-, submitting travel documents and a letter of recognition from local leaders (Sheha). They have also been barred from conducting rallies or preaching.
The accused include Farid Hadi Ahmed (41), a resident of Mbuyuni, Mselem Ali Mselem (52), a resident of Kwamtipura, Mussa Juma Mussa (47), a resident of Makadara and Azzan Khalid (48), a resident of Mfenesini. Azzan has been out of prison since September, last year due to illness and need to travel to India for further treatment.
Others are Suleiman Juma Suleiman (66), a resident of Makadara, Khamis Ali Suleiman (59), a resident of Mwanakwerekwe, Hassan Bakar Suleiman (39), a resident of Tomondo, Ghalib Ahmada Juma (39), a resident of Mwanakwerekwe, Abdallah Said (48), a resident of Misufini and Majaliwa Fikirini Majaliwa.
The accused have been in remand since October 2012 when they were charged with instigating and persuading people to cause chaos in many parts of Zanzibar, contrary to section 45 (1) (a) & (b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
They are also charged with conspiracy to commit offence, linked to disappearance of Sheikh Farid in September and inciting the commission of police, contrary to section 74 (1) (b) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA).
They have all denied the charges and their lawyers have been struggling to let them be granted bail. Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP) had indefinitely blocked bail, citing for national security concerns.
The case comes up for another mention on February 27, this year, as relatives of the accused struggle to meet the bail conditions.
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News
