The National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) referred to the Judicial Court of Sofala the process of legalization of the arrest of five state employees assigned to the Migration sector who are accused of facilitating the entry of Somalis and Kenyans suspected of recruiting people to join terrorist groups operating in northern Cabo Delgado.

They are two passport inspectors, one service agent, one head of the migration office at Beira International Airport and another whose identity and function could not be ascertained.

According to SERNIC spokesman Alfeu Sitoe, the steps that were up to his sector have already been completed, and the court will follow up.

"I can't say whether the legalization has already been formalized by the investigating judge, but I can confirm that we have already referred the process with a view to legalizing the arrest of the suspects," Sitoe explained.

The five Somalis and Kenyans, including one woman, are accused of recruiting people to join terrorist groups operating in Cabo Delgado, as well as trafficking drugs and people, and using and forging documents, among other crimes.

The accused are being held in the cells of the 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th police stations in Beira City.