Police investigating a Kenyan cult suspected of practising hunger to “meet Jesus” have exhumed over 400 our bodies, a senior official has mentioned.
It comes after 12 extra our bodies have been found on Monday, coastal regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha informed AFP.
“Total death toll – 403,” he mentioned. “Exhumation continues tomorrow.”
Pastor Paul Mackenzie is accused of ordering his followers on the Good News International Church to starve to dying. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Investigators are looking for extra graves in Shakahola forest in japanese Kenya, the place the primary victims have been found on 13 April.
Some have been lifeless, whereas others have been alive however weakened and emaciated.
Starvation seems to have been the primary reason behind dying, based on authorities autopsies, however some victims – together with kids – had been strangled, overwhelmed or suffocated.
Mackenzie has been in police custody since April. His detention was prolonged by a month pending investigations on 3 July.
State prosecutors have mentioned he’s going through terrorism or genocide-related expenses. He has not but been required to enter a plea.
Followers charged with tried suicide
Police investigated Mackenzie’s property in April after they acquired a tip dozens of individuals have been ravenous to dying after their pastor allegedly informed them it was a option to go to heaven.
The emaciated followers have been handled at a hospital earlier than they have been taken to a shelter.
They later staged a starvation strike to protest being held on the shelter and have been charged with tried suicide – a transfer condemned by rights teams.
Source: information.sky.com”