Mogadishu Police Arrest Five ‘Over Insults Against Leaders’

GOOBJOOG NEWS |MOGADISHU – Somali police in Mogadishu have arrested a woman and four young men accused of insulting national leaders in separate incidents.

The arrests were carried out by officers at Garasbaaleey Police Station, who identified the woman as Malyuun Awad Haidar. Police said she engaged in actions that demeaned the dignity of state leaders and violated the Constitution. She remains in custody and will be referred to court.

In a related case, the same station confirmed the detention of four youths — Omar Isse Salad, Mahad Omar Yirid, Amin Mohamed Hassan, and Abdissalan Eenaanshe Ibrahim — after they posted a TikTok video containing remarks deemed offensive to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Authorities said the suspects will also face trial.

The Somali Police Force has recently issued a directive banning insults against leaders, incitement of clan divisions, and unauthorized use of military uniforms. Several people have already been detained under the order.

Police urged the public to avoid spreading defamatory or misleading content, warning that offenders will face legal consequences.