The Directorate of Criminal Investigations have asked a Nairobi court to grant them 15 days to complete investigations into alleged terrorism related activities involving a Turkish national arrested over the weekend.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, through the Anti Terrorism Police Unit, said the suspect, Ahmet Mustafa Gungor, was arrested in the early hours of 21 December 2025 at the Standard Gauge Railway Nairobi terminus shortly after arriving from Mombasa. Officers told the court the arrest was based on reasonable suspicion of involvement in terrorism related activities with both local and transnational dimensions.
According to court filings, Gungor was apprehended at about 12.05 am and escorted to ATPU headquarters in Nairobi, where he was formally booked. Investigators said the arrest followed a Mutual Legal Assistance request from the government of Türkiye, which is pursuing terrorism related charges against the suspect before the Kahramanmaras second high court.
The request sought Kenya’s cooperation in recording statements and gathering evidential material linked to the case. Kenyan authorities then launched parallel investigations to establish the suspect’s activities, associations and possible involvement in terrorism related offences within Kenya, citing the seriousness of the allegations and their potential national security implications.
Police told the court that several items were recovered from the suspect, including an iPhone 15 mobile phone with a Safaricom SIM card, a Kenyan urban refugee identity card and proof of refugee registration. Investigators said the electronic devices are believed to contain crucial evidence related to terrorist recruitment, financing, facilitation and propaganda, and require specialised forensic analysis.
The DCI is also seeking court orders to search the suspect’s residence in Kileleshwa, access electronic storage devices and seize documents or items relevant to the investigation.
However, Amnesty International Kenya disputed the allegations, describing Gungor as a refugee protected under international law. The organisation said he is a teacher, a father of two and a 15 year resident of Kenya who poses no flight risk and has committed no crime.
Opposing bail, investigators argued that the suspect is a flight risk due to his foreign nationality and transnational connections, warning that his release could interfere with witnesses, compromise informants and lead to destruction of digital evidence.
The offences under investigation include financing of terrorism, recruitment and membership in a terrorist organisation, contrary to the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2012.
