Sharif’s Kenyan hosts quizzed

Team sent to Nairobi to investigate Sharif murder formally starts work

ISLAMABAD:

 

In order to determine the facts of the Arshad Sharif murder case, the investigation team that went to Kenya formally started its work and recorded the statements of two brothers who provided accommodation and other facilities to the slain journalist in the country.

According to sources, Sharif's mobile and iPad have been handed over to the Kenyan authorities.

A two-member team comprising Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Headquarters Director Athar Waheed and Intelligence Bureau (IB) Deputy Director Umar Shahid Hamid is in Kenya to ascertain the facts surrounding the murder of the senior journalist.

Sources said that the investigation team questioned the two brothers regarding the incident, in which Waqar Ahmed told the team that Sharif was staying at his guest house for two months, after a friend had asked him to host the journalist.
He added that he had met Sharif only once for a meal before, when he had invited him to his lodge outside Nairobi.

He further said that on the day of the murder, Sharif dined with him at the lodge.
After the meal, Sharif went out in the car with his brother, and half an hour later, there was a report of firing on the car, he added.

Khurram Ahmed said that after leaving the lodge, there is an 18 km dirt road and then a proper road starts.

A few stones were placed a little before the road started, he added.

He further said that as soon as he crossed the stones, firing started, on which he fled the car, fearing for his life.

Waqar also disclosed that the mobile phone and iPad used by Sharif were handed over to the Kenyan authorities.

The FIA was contacted for a comment, but no comment could be obtained by the time of filing of this report.

The murder

The 49-year-old journalist had fled the country in August to avoid arrest after he was slapped with multiple cases, including sedition charges over an interview with PTI leader Shahbaz Gill during which the latter had made controversial comments.

Alleging threats to his life, Sharif had moved to Dubai in August and later relocated to Kenya where he had died after reportedly being shot.

Kenyan national police spokesman Bruno Shioso had said the journalist was shot dead by an officer after his car drove through a police barrier. “It is then that they were shot at, fatally injuring late Arshad Mohammed Sharif,” he said.

The death of the journalist sent shock waves across rights organisations, the media fraternity and civil society and prompted calls for thorough investigation and disclosure of facts.
Several local and international journalists, including Kenyan media persons, and relevant personalities have raised questions about the Kenyan police's claims surrounding the killing.