Samuel Shinedima
NAMIBIA’S courts will hear an anti-terrorism case for the first time as Jona Hangula becomes the country’s first person to be prosecuted under the Prevention and Combating of Terrorist and Proliferation Activities Act of 2014.
Hangula, 30, who was arrested last week, recently appeared in court at the Windhoek Magistrate Court for allegedly engaging in terrorism activities.
According to the State, Hangula is a member of an organization involved in terrorist or proliferation activities, recruiting people to join a terrorist organization or participate in terrorist or proliferation activities, and arranging for the retention or control of funds belonging to or controlled by individuals involved in terrorist or proliferation activities.
In simple terms, the 30-year-old is accused of providing assistance to and attempting to recruit individuals to join the Islamic State, a radical organization in Iraq. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, commonly known as Da’esh, is subject to counterterrorism sanctions as a result of a decision by the United Nations Security Council.
Under the Prevention and Combating of Terrorist and Proliferation Activities Act, any person who engages in any terrorist action, whether directly or indirectly, inside or outside Namibia, is guilty of terrorism and faces a life sentence if found guilty.
During Hangula’s initial court appearance, the state argued that he should not be granted bail due to the belief that he may flee the country if released, as well as the seriousness of the charges he is facing.
One of the reasons cited by the state for refusing bail is that Hangula’s case, for which he was taken into custody and charged, has been under investigation since 2019, and the investigations are still ongoing.
Hangula said that he intends to submit a formal application for release on bail, and his case has been postponed to September 8, 2023, for the continuation of his pre-trial.
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