Kenya finds Iranians guilty of possessing explosives

NAIROBI (AFP) - Two Iranians were found guilty by a Kenyan court Thursday for possessing explosives allegedly for use in bomb attacks.

Ahmed Mohammed and Sayed Mansour, who were arrested last June, were found guilty of possessing 15 kilos (33 pounds) of the powerful explosive RDX. The court said they had suspected links to a terror network planning bombings in Mombasa and Nairobi.

The men, who have both denied all charges, are said to have hidden the explosives in the port city of Mombasa. They face up to 15 years in jail.

"I have no doubt in my mind that they were part of the group that placed explosives there," judge Kiarie Wa Kiarie told the court in the capital Nairobi.

The court is expected to sentence the men on Monday.

Defence lawyers alleged the suspects were interrogated by Israeli security officers while in Kenyan detention, claims dismissed by the prosecution.

The accusation followed a declaration by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who shortly after the two were charged, said Iran was plotting attacks against Israel in Kenya.