News

Child rapists shot by firing squad in Somalia

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 03:04 pm

A firing squad has executed two men in north-eastern Somalia for raping and killing a 12-year-old girl.

Aisha Ilyaas Aden was abducted, gang raped and killed near her home in Galkayo, in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, in February 2019.

The case caused uproar and sparked demonstrations across the country.

Ten suspects were initially arrested but the regional High Court found three of them guilty in May.

Prosecutors said they relied on DNA evidence for the first time to convict them.

Two of those found guilty – Abdifatah Abdirahman Warsame and Abdishakur Mohamed Dige – were shot at a public square in Bossasso town on Tuesday morning, the Garowe Online news website reported.

A third man, Abdisalam Abdirahman Warsame, the brother of Abdifatah, was spared despite also being sentenced to death.

Aisha’s father, Ilyas Adan, has told Puntland State TV that he requested the court postpone Abdisalam’s execution for 10 days until his case is re-assessed.

“This execution will serve as a strong lesson and the Somali girls will be safe,” Mr Aden said.

Activists and campaign groups say rape and sexual abuse have become more common in Somalia in recent years.

Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

Pipeline Oil Leaks Spark Concerns in Southern Nigeria

Locals in southern Nigeria claim that the pipeline oil spills are becoming more frequent and endangering the lives of nearby…

December 23, 2024

Pipeline Oil Leaks Spark Concerns in Southern Nigeria

Locals in southern Nigeria claim that pipeline oil spills are becoming more frequent and endangering the lives of nearby villages.…

December 23, 2024

Slovak PM meets Putin in unannounced Moscow visit

The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, made a surprise visit to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin, becoming the…

December 23, 2024

Africa and GCC Trade Doubles to $121 Billion

Trade between African and GCC countries stands at $ 121 billion in 2023, double of what it was in 2016.…

December 22, 2024

Families in Mayotte rebuilding their homes complain of lack of help

Family members struggling after one week after  of Cyclone Chido ripped through the French island territory of Mayotte expressed helplessness…

December 21, 2024

Ethiopian PM Inaugurates UAE-Funded Orphanage in Oromia

The United Arab Emirates has launched its orphanage project in Ethiopia's Oromia region on the orders of President Sheikh Mohamed…

December 21, 2024

This website uses cookies.