2 Iranians arrested in Kenya with forged passports

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A Kenyan official says two Iranians carrying forged Israeli passports have been arrested in Nairobi.

The man and woman were taken into custody Friday as they were about to board a flight out of the country, a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak with the press.

The officer says a preliminary investigation indicates the two Iranians — who were not identified — bought the forged passports in Armenia before arriving in Kenya on Sept 9.

The officer said the suspects claim they are refugees and were seeking to go to Belgium, but authorities believe their final destination would have been Israel.

Last year a Kenyan court sentenced two Iranian nationals convicted of plotting attacks against Western targets to life in prison.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up