Poll loser freed after three days
Posted by africanpress on May 30, 2008
Publisher: Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.nation.ke
Story by JOHN NGIRACHU
A politician at the heart of an election and nationality dispute has been released after three days in custody.
Mr Mahamud Sirat, who was being held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport cells, Wednesday claimed he had been tortured while in custody.
He also alleged that police stole Sh700,000 from him during his arrest.
Mr Sirat is disputing the election of Mr Abdirahman Ali Hassan of Kanu, as the Wajir South MP.
But a deportation order had been issued against him on allegations that he was Australian.
Passport
At a press conference in Nairobi Wednesday, Mr Sirat denied the claims, saying he was a Kenyan.
He, however, declined to comment on Immigration minister, Otieno Kajwang’s claims that he was in possession of an Australian passport, saying it would interfere with a court case.
Mr Kajwang’s order to have Mr Sirat deported to Australia was suspended for 60 days by the High Court on Tuesday.
And Wednesday, police deputy spokesman Charles Owino told the Nation they had not received any complaints from Mr Sirat.
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