Somalia: Somaliland judge shot after presiding in corruption case 11 Jun 11, 2012 - 2:43:16 AM
HARGEISA, Somalia Jun 11 2012 (Garowe Online) – The head of the judicial court of Hargeisa was shot early Monday morning by armed gunmen in the Somaliland capital, Radio Garowe reports.
Abdirashid Duraan was rushed to the hospital after men armed with pistols shot the judge as he left a mosque after performing morning prayers in the neighborhood of New Hargeisa.
According to local sources, the gunmen opened fire at the judge but amazingly the judge only suffered a gun-wound to the cheek and doctors say he is in good condition.
Authorities in Hargeisa say that the police have leads in the investigation but could not comment as the investigation is ongoing.
Last Sunday judge Duraan presided over a case in which 3 government officials were convicted of embezzlement and fraud. A former adviser to President Silanyo was sentenced to 1 year with the other two officials sentenced to 3 years.
After the officials were convicted they protested that the case was biased by the Somaliland government who they claimed influenced the court to convict the officials.
Somaliland a relatively peaceful breakaway region has experienced a spark in violence recently.
A land dispute between civilians and the Somaliland government which was dismissed by the Somaliland judicial system led to clashes between an armed group and Somaliland forces in Hargeisa which led to the deaths of 5 people last month. Subsequently 17 men were arrested and sentenced to death following military tribunal.
UN Special Ambassador to Somalia Augustine Mahiga, expressed concern that the trial of the 17 civilians was “conducted by a military, in contradiction of both applicable local statutes and customary norms of standards of international law.
