Kenya court frees 35 Chinese, 5 Taiwanese in wire fraud case

NAIROBI, Kenya – A Kenyan court has acquitted 35 Chinese nationals and five Taiwanese who were arrested two years ago on suspicion of wire fraud.

Senior Principal Magistrate Joyce Gondani said Friday the prosecution had failed to prove its case, ruling there wasn't sufficient evidence to convict them.

The group had faced charges of running a telecommunication system without a license, conspiracy to commit felony and engaging in organized crime. They all denied the allegations.

In total, 77 people were arrested, but most of them were deported because they didn't have proper documentation to stay in Kenya.

Fourteen Chinese and 23 Taiwanese from the group were deported to China in April, a move criticized by Taiwan which is fighting China's claim to its territory and wanted its citizens returned there.