A Turkish national described as a businessman was on Tuesday presented before a Mombasa court to answer to multiple terrorism-related charges, alongside allegations of illegal firearm possession.
State prosecutors told the court that the case touches on national security concerns, citing alleged links to the outlawed Al-Shabaab group, and urged for stringent bond conditions due to the seriousness of the offences.
Osman Erdinc Elsek appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo, where he was charged with membership in a terrorist organisation, an offence under Section 24 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.
The prosecution claims that at an unspecified time while in Kenya, Elsek was a member of Harakat Al Shabaab Mujahideen, a group listed as a proscribed organisation under Kenyan law.
Court documents show that the charges extend beyond alleged membership in the group.
Elsek was further charged under Section 29 of the Act for allegedly collecting information intended for use in the commission of a terrorist act.
Prosecutors allege that he was found with a Samsung Flip 7 mobile phone containing video footage said to have been gathered for purposes linked to a terrorist act.
According to court records, the alleged mobile phone offence occurred on January 14, 2026, at around 5.23pm, while Elsek was at the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit offices in Mombasa.
He also faces an additional count of possessing an item connected to the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 30 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.
The charge sheet further includes an allegation of unlawful firearm possession.
The prosecution told the court that on January 12, 2026, at approximately 8pm in Majengo Kanamai area of Kilifi South, Kilifi County, Elsek was found with a Glock pistol under circumstances suggesting it was intended for use in a manner likely to disrupt public order.
Another Turkish national, Gokmen Sandikci, was jointly charged in the case.
Sandikci faces a count of consorting with a person in possession of a firearm, contrary to Section 89(2) of the Penal Code, with prosecutors alleging he was in Elsek’s company at the time of the alleged firearm offence.
Both accused persons were also charged jointly with assault causing actual bodily harm under Section 251 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution alleges that the two assaulted Boniface Katana, inflicting injuries that meet the legal definition of actual bodily harm.
During submissions on bond, the State argued for strict terms, noting that both accused are foreign nationals and lack permanent residence in Kenya.
The court was urged to require substantial sureties and the surrender of travel documents pending the determination of the case.
Prosecutors also requested time to furnish the defence with witness statements and supporting documents, proposing a pretrial date.
In his decision, the magistrate granted Elsek bond of Sh1 million with a similar surety, in addition to the requirement of providing one Kenyan contact person.
Sandikci was released on a surety bond of Sh500,000, with an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000.
The court set the pretrial conference for February 19, 2026.
The matter now proceeds under close judicial scrutiny as authorities continue to pursue terrorism-related cases involving both foreign and local suspects.
