- Agnes Wanjiru-Wanjiru found dead in sceptic tank 'after row with soldier' in hotel room in Nanyuki, Kenya
- Claims police failed to properly investigate due to unwillingness to probe British soldiers
- Human rights group persuades Kenyan public prosecutors to push police to look into case
- Nanyuki bar hosted brawl between 200 troops in April
|
Two British soldiers are under investigation over the alleged murder of a 21-year-old Kenyan woman in a town where troops train for Afghanistan.
Agnes Wanjiru-Wanjiku, who is thought to have worked as a prostitute, disappeared on March 31 from a hotel in Nanyuki, Kenya.
A night guard is said to have witnessed a fierce fight in the room between Miss Wanjiru and one of the soldiers.
Nanyuki: The Kenyan town where Agnes Wanjiru-Wanjiru was found dead
Her badly-decomposed body was found by a cleaner on June 5 inside a septic tank in the grounds of the Lion's Court hotel.
But local police have been accused of not properly investigating the case because of an alleged reluctance to get involved with UK soldiers.
Human rights organisation Social Watch have lobbied Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions to conduct a thorough criminal probe.
Complaint: A copy of a letter from the Kenyan public prosecutor demanding local police properly investigate the case amid claims they are reluctant to
'Nanyiki Police is accused of taking a casual stance in the matter,' the letter reads.
'The (Nanyuki) police station is also accused of not (being) willing to pursue British Army personnel who act with impudence.'
The department has now written to police in Nanyuki demanding a progress report on the case.
'I have been directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions to urgently call for ... a progress report on the case,' the letter reads.
'The complainant has intimated that there is laxity on the part of the police to conclusively investigate the case and bring the culprits to book despite willingness by witnesses to come forth and testify.'
Military chiefs have been aware of the incident since the body was discovered, according to Sky News, which obtained both letters.
The Ministry of Defence said the matter was being investigated by the authorities in the East African country but would offer assistance if requested.
An MoD spokesman said: 'This is an ongoing Kenyan investigation and as such it would be inappropriate for the Ministry of Defence to comment further.
'We stand by to offer any assistance and co-operation that is required.'
Shameful skirmish: The Sportsman's Arms where 200 British soldiers brawled with each other in April
Ideal: The conditions around Nanyuki are like those in Afghanistan
Human rights organisation Social Watch wrote to the Kenyan department of public prosecutions complaining the case had not been properly investigated.
There is a British army training base in Nanyuki, which is used to prepare troops for conditions in Afghanistan.
Mostly, the soldiers maintain a quiet presence in the town.
But in April this year it was reported more than 200 troops were involved in a brawl inside the Sportsman's Arms bar.
The bar was said to have been destroyed and some of the soldiers were airlifted to hospital in Nairobi. The MoD is investigating that incident.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario