Kenyan court frees suspected ivory kingpin on bond

A Kenyan court on Wednesday released suspected ivory kingpin on 10,300-U.S.-dollar bond to allow him seek treatment.

Mombasa High Court Judge Justice Martin Muya released Abdulrahman Sheikh, who is linked to nearly seven tons of elephant ivory that was seized in Singapore and Thailand since the end of April.

Justice Muya ruled that the accused be released on bond on medical ground.

"The court is convinced that the accused requires treatment and the respondent has a right to seek medical attention like any other Kenyan, and therefore I grant him bail," ruled Muya.

Sheikh was arrested at his mansion early this month with his two sons following a global police operation led by Interpol and Detectives from Directorate of Criminal Investigation.

The detectives said they are still pursuing Samuel Jefwa, the exporter and director of a private-owned company, Potential Quality Supplies, who used different companies to smuggle ivory.

Jefwa is accused of changing the destination of containers thrice at sea from Dubai to Thailand and Vietnam through Singapore. He is in hiding in Uganda after he sneaked through Malaba border when the first consignment of 3.7 tons were seized in Singapore.

The Kenyan government has contacted Interpol to assist in the investigation and stop poaching menace. Endi