NAIROBI -- A Muslim scholar on Thursday denied possession of devices believed to have been used to plan terror acts in Kenya.
Mohamud Abdi Adan was arrested in possession of a laptop which had video clips, photo images and downloaded map images of vital installations within Kenya.
The clips had pictures of more than 20 buildings in Nairobi including churches, police stations and churches. The State Prosecutor Charles Wanjohi the matter should be heard behind closed doors due to the sensitivity of the case, and the video clips they intend to play in court.
He also urged the court to grant them time to confirm whether there is a provision in the Anti Terrorism Protection Unit Act that allows the withholding of evidence from the defense in the terror-related case.
Wanjohi said the video clips they intend to use are very sensitive and the defense should only have access to them during trial. He said the areas mentioned in the charge sheet were targets of terrorism act.
The 29 year-old Adan is a graduate of Sharia Law from Dharal Olum University of Mogadishu in Somalia.
He was first charged in court in April.
The state on Thursday brought the additional charges.
He denied possession two remote control gadgets, a black external storage device a spy pen camera, a spy camera wrist watch and the laptop, which is believed would be used for facilitating the commission of a terrorist act.
The case was set for hearing on Thursday but the new developments forced the adjournment.
Two witnesses were present in court.
Defence lawyer Chacha Mwita objected to the case being heard in camera.
He said his client is entitled to a public hearing.
He also said they were yet to be supplied with any video clips, which the prosecution intends to use.
It was his argument that the evidence should not be withheld from the suspect.
Adan returned to Kenya in 2009 after undergoing university education, where he majored in Sharia.
He was arrested at a residential estate in Nairobi by Anti- Terrorism Police Unit officers during the ongoing swoop aimed at bringing criminals to book.
He will remain in remand until next Wednesday.