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| Boniface Mwangi: Kenyan activist faces terrorism charges over protests | Boniface Mwangi: Kenyan activist faces terrorism charges over protests |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Boniface Mwangi is a well-known activist and has been involved in many protests | Boniface Mwangi is a well-known activist and has been involved in many protests |
| Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi is due in court on accusations of "facilitation of terrorist acts" during last month's deadly anti-government protests in which at least 19 people died. | Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi is due in court on accusations of "facilitation of terrorist acts" during last month's deadly anti-government protests in which at least 19 people died. |
| On Sunday, investigators said they had seized phones, a laptop, and notebooks from Mr Mwangi's Lukenya home on the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi, and hard drives, computers, tear gas canisters and a blank firearm round from his office in the city. | On Sunday, investigators said they had seized phones, a laptop, and notebooks from Mr Mwangi's Lukenya home on the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi, and hard drives, computers, tear gas canisters and a blank firearm round from his office in the city. |
| His arrest has sparked a wave of condemnation, with human rights groups denouncing it was aimed at suppressing opposition voices. | His arrest has sparked a wave of condemnation, with human rights groups denouncing it was aimed at suppressing opposition voices. |
| The activist has denied the accusations, saying in a post on X: "I am not a terrorist." | The activist has denied the accusations, saying in a post on X: "I am not a terrorist." |
| According to Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Mr Mwangi stands accused of "offences related to facilitation of terrorist acts and unlawful possession of ammunition". | |
| The alleged offences are linked to the 25 June protests when, according to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 19 people died when demonstrators clashed with police. Hundreds were also injured and property and businesses were damaged. | |
| In the aftermath, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen described the demonstrations as "terrorism disguised as dissent" and an "unconstitutional attempt" to change the government. | In the aftermath, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen described the demonstrations as "terrorism disguised as dissent" and an "unconstitutional attempt" to change the government. |
| Is William Ruto the most disliked president in Kenya's history? | |
| Mother mourns 'beautiful' 12-year-old shot while watching TV during Kenya protests | |
| At least 38 more people were killed in subsequent protests earlier this month, the KNHCR has said. | At least 38 more people were killed in subsequent protests earlier this month, the KNHCR has said. |
| Since June last year, more than 100 people have been killed in successive waves of anti-government protests, with police accused of using excessive force to quell unrest. | Since June last year, more than 100 people have been killed in successive waves of anti-government protests, with police accused of using excessive force to quell unrest. |
| On Sunday, a coalition of 37 rights organisations condemned Mr Mwangi's arrest on "unjustified terrorism allegations", describing it as the "latest escalation in a systematic crackdown that has seen hundreds of young Kenyans detained on fabricated terrorism charges". | On Sunday, a coalition of 37 rights organisations condemned Mr Mwangi's arrest on "unjustified terrorism allegations", describing it as the "latest escalation in a systematic crackdown that has seen hundreds of young Kenyans detained on fabricated terrorism charges". |
| "What began as targeted persecution of young protesters demanding accountability has metastasized into a full-scale assault on Kenya's democracy," they said in a joint statement. | "What began as targeted persecution of young protesters demanding accountability has metastasized into a full-scale assault on Kenya's democracy," they said in a joint statement. |
| James Orengo, a veteran politician and governor of Siaya county, said it was "ridiculous to charge Boniface Mwangi and our children who have demonstrated a high level of political consciousness with terrorism". | James Orengo, a veteran politician and governor of Siaya county, said it was "ridiculous to charge Boniface Mwangi and our children who have demonstrated a high level of political consciousness with terrorism". |
| Mr Mwangi has been detained multiple times in the past, and has been at the centre of many protests. | Mr Mwangi has been detained multiple times in the past, and has been at the centre of many protests. |
| In May, he and a Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire were detained in Tanzania, where they had travelled to attend the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is accused of treason. | In May, he and a Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire were detained in Tanzania, where they had travelled to attend the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is accused of treason. |
| Following their release several days later, both said they had been abducted, tortured and sexually assaulted. They have since filed a case at the regional East African Court of Justice over the matter. | Following their release several days later, both said they had been abducted, tortured and sexually assaulted. They have since filed a case at the regional East African Court of Justice over the matter. |
| You may also be interested in: | You may also be interested in: |
| Why the death of a blogger has put Kenya's police on trial | Why the death of a blogger has put Kenya's police on trial |
| 'Shoot in the leg' - Kenyan leader orders police to curb violent protests | 'Shoot in the leg' - Kenyan leader orders police to curb violent protests |
| Are East African governments uniting to silence dissent? | Are East African governments uniting to silence dissent? |
| BBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protesters | BBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protesters |
| Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. | Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. |
| Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica | Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica |