Profile: Kenyan terror suspect

By Noel Mwakugu
BBC News website, Nairobi

Abdul Malik has become the first terror suspect Kenya has transferred to the US since its "war on terror" began after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Abdul Malik at first denied bombing the Paradise Hotel

Kenyan government officials have refused to comment on revelations that it handed over the suspect to American investigators who have now transferred him to Guantanamo Bay, a military prison in Cuba.

But the BBC News website has established that Mr Malik, 35, is a Kenyan national, who was arrested in February, while on a visit at the port city Mombasa.

He was then blindfolded and flown to Nairobi where he was held at several police stations.

Although he was not on the FBI list of most-wanted terrorists, the Pentagon says Mr Malik has admitted that he was involved with the November 2002 attack on an Israeli-owned hotel in Mombasa where 15 people died, and an attempt to shoot down an Israeli airliner that was carrying 271 passengers.

Condemned

His sister Mariam Mohammed has told the BBC News website, through a spokesman, that they last had contact in the year 2000 when he left Mombasa for Somalia on private business.

But she is extremely worried for him, now that he has been sent to Guantanamo Bay.

Malik was very friendly and was keen to be set free 'Mrefu', former fellow inmate

Muslim leaders in Kenya have condemned his transfer by Kenyan authorities to American investigators.

Mr Malik was born in the western town of Kisumu but was raised by their single mother in Mombasa where he had his early education.

Mariam, who is four years younger than her brother, said he was arrested before they had a chance to meet during his visit to the port city last month.

Inmates who shared a cell with Mr Malik at the Ongata Rongai police station, where he was first held upon arrival, describe him as a humble man.

During his days in custody, he is said to have repeatedly pleaded his innocence to charges of terrorism.

Mrefu, not his real name, was arrested for petty theft when he met Mr Malik, a five-foot tall, well-built man, who despite the congestion at the police cell performed his prayers five times a day, in accordance with the Islamic faith.

"Malik was very friendly and was keen to be set free," the ex-inmate said.

On several occasions he was bundled out of the police cells for long interrogations and often returned confused, Mrefu explained.

However, despite the close interest police paid to him, Mr Malik was given special privileges and was often escorted to shops for simple items by police officers.

The US authorities have now allowed Red Cross officials who have access to Guantanamo Bay to visit him on behalf of the family.