Somalia police officer facing firing squad for killing civilian

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A Somali police force officer is facing a firing squad for killing a civilian in Mogadishu early this month, the latest in series of executions in the Horn of Africa, Garowe Online reports.

The 26-year-old policeman, Ali Mohamud Ahmed was arrested and charged after murdering Abdirizak Ahmed Gure, a rickshaw driver in the capital and injuring another civilian, according to the court.

After hearing his case in several sessions, the Somali military court has slapped the officer with the death penalty, arguing that it has gotten sufficient evidence to determine. However, Ahmed can appeal the verdict.

“The Court sentenced Ali Mohamud Ahmed to death after finding him guilty of deliberately shooting Abdirizak Ahmed Gure in the head at a checkpoint in Hodon district,” said court chief Hassan Ali Shute.

In addition, Shute said the court also stripped Ali Mohamud Ahmed of his rank in the police force as he has been sentenced him to death for murder.

"I only wanted to scare the driver after crossing the security checkpoint," said the policeman while speaking at the court.

The military court often carries out sentences and executions to militants and soldiers who commit crimes despite condemnation from human rights groups including the European Union [EU].

Last January, the tribunal gave death sentence to military officer Mohamed Abdirahman Ibrahim for allegedly murdering a police officer at Ex-control Afgoye junction in Mogadishu on 6th October last year.

GAROWE ONLINE