Defence lawyers have accused the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) of detaining suspects and humiliating them by circulating their photos online without evidence.
During a court proceeding on Monday, December 9, 2025, lawyers highlighted that some respondents in a fake identity cards (IDs) case were unwell, including a mother brought to court unable to breastfeed.
Led by Danstan Omari, the lawyers insisted that the DCI should apologise for arresting individuals without evidence, noting that if evidence existed, it should have been disclosed in the application for detention.
“It is not an offence like terrorism that happens suddenly, and people must be arrested and brought to court,” he added.
The lawyer argued that merely using eCitizen to fill out forms and printing many of them does not make someone a criminal.
The defence also claimed that the State had violated respondents’ rights and liberties, stating that arrests were designed to humiliate suspects by displaying their photos on official websites and other platforms.
“In an event they don't find my client responsible for any of the crimes they are alleging, they shall compensate him for damages that are reasonable," the defence lawyer noted.
The advicates further noted that making arrests on a Friday was a deliberate move, so that suspects would remain in custody over the weekend, effectively prolonging the humiliation until Monday, when the State could submit applications to extend detention.
Senior Counsel Harun Ndubi reiterated that the arrests lacked any substantive evidence linking the suspects to terrorism, while another lawyer highlighted that one immigration officer had been arrested with nothing more than his own phone.
Defence lawyers urged the court to consider the welfare of young mothers, as one of the suspects was not allowed to breastfeed, and they also held an ill suspect in custody.
Magistrate Kiage is scheduled to deliver a ruling on the detention request on December 11, which will determine whether the suspects remain in custody.
