A Somali military court has sentenced a soldier to death by firing squad for the fatal shooting of an unarmed civilian during a property dispute in Mogadishu. The court found that the soldier, Abdiraxmaan Ahmed Omar, intentionally killed 20-year-old Ahmed Ali Hassan after an altercation at a residential property.
During the hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that Omar opened fire on Hassan after Hassan’s sister was manhandled by security forces during an eviction. Hassan confronted Omar, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which Hassan was killed. The court ruled that Omar’s actions constituted premeditated murder.
The victim’s family welcomed the ruling, stating that justice had been served for their loved one who had a promising future ahead of him. However, they also called for accountability from the commanding officers involved in the operation, alleging a failure in their duty to protect civilians.
The court’s decision sends a strong message about upholding the rule of law and human rights within the Somali military. The death sentence remains a legal punishment in Somalia for serious crimes like murder.
