Ugandan court sets free 18 suspects in World Cup bombings

KAMPALA - A court in the Ugandan capital Kampala Tuesday dismissed charges against 18 suspects in the July bombings that killed more than 70 World Cup fans who were watching a televised match.

The court said it did not find adequate proof to continue the prosecution of the 18 for their alleged involvement in the bombing attacks on two restaurants in Kampala. The dead had gathered to watch a World Cup match that was broadcast from South Africa.

The Somali insurgent group al-Shabaab, which is battling the Somalia’s Western-backed government, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in revenge for the presence of Ugandan peacekeepers in their country.

The prosecution of 18 remaining suspects was to continue. Two additional suspects were still being sought.

Lawyers for the 18 suspects who were released Tuesday claimed that three of their clients had been immediately detained again by security officials at the court, despite the fact that charges were dropped, according to their comments on Radio Simba.

The terrorist suspects included Ugandans, Kenyans and Somalis, who were charged in August with terrorism, murder, assault and attempted murder. More than 80 people were injured in the twin attacks.