Military Court Sentences Former SNA Soldier to Death Over Garasbaaley Killing

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Military Court has sentenced a former Somali National Army soldier to death by firing squad over the killing of a construction worker in Mogadishu in July.

The court found Abdi Aadan Ibraahim responsible for the death of Yusuf Ahmed Abdi, who was travelling home in a tuk-tuk after finishing work on July 26.

According to the chairman of the First Instance Military Court, Col. Hassan Ali Nur Shuute, the incident happened in Garasbaaley district after the defendant stopped the vehicle and became involved in a dispute with the victim.

The court heard that two shots were fired, one striking Yusuf in the abdomen and killing him at the scene.

The defendant then attempted to escape and hid in a tree near the scene, but civilians reportedly alerted security forces to his location, leading to his arrest.

The case was subsequently investigated before the Military Prosecutor’s Office sought to bring it before the court. The request was approved on September 16.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court handed down the death sentence on Sunday as qisaas, or retribution for the killing.

The ruling adds to a series of cases before Somalia’s military justice system involving members and former members of the security forces accused of serious crimes against civilians.