Somalia: Puntland sentences suspected members linked to ISIS

BOSASO, Puntland- A military court in the northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland has on Sunday sentenced members who were found guilty of being linked to the Islamic State franchise in Somalia, Garowe Online reports.

Following the hearing procedures at the court for the 8 defendants, the court sentenced two suspects to death, transferred one minor to the Justice Ministry and the rest were sentenced for various terms in prison.   

The court Judge Colonel Abdifatah Haji Adan said, Ahmed Aden Abdullahi, 20, who was born in Ararso, a military trainer for ISIS and Al Shabaab group, also Mohamed Aden, 22, born in Baydabo, who received training from ISIS, have both pleaded guilty and were sentenced to death.

The court also sentenced Abdikarin Saed Abdi, who pleaded guilty for smuggling illegal fire arms, for 20 years in prison. Abdiqadir Mahad Nuh, a businessman, was also sentenced for 5 years in prison for possession of illegal weapons.

On the other hand, the court released Abdirazaq Hayir Da’ar from custody and transferred Farahan Abdualhi Farah, 15 years, to the Ministry of Justice.

During the hearing procedures, the court has presented the evidences of firearms and ammunition seized from the suspects during the security operations in Bossaso city.

This is the first ruling of Bosasso court against suspects linked to ISIS in Puntland region, as the group has overtaken the control of port town of Qandala located 75 km west of Bossaso town in last October.

GAROWEONLINE