SOMALIA: PUNTLAND COURT HANDS OUT DEATH SENTENCE TO AL SHABAAB MEMBER

June 1, 2014: A military court in Somalia's North Eastern State of Puntland has handed out death sentence to Al Shabaab suspect for murder of 23 persons, including government officials and civilians.
The Prosecutor of Nugal Military court Abdullahi Hirsi (Abdullahi Dheere) announced the verdict in the courthouse, saying the alleged Al Shabaab fighter Abdulkadir Mohamed Ali took part in the assassination of 23 people between 2009 and 2011. Ali was arrested in Galkayo during a security sweep in January 2014 and transferred to the court for trial. He failed to comply with 30 days appeal, Abdullahi Dheere disclosed.
Puntland military court has been a spot for the trial of Al Shabaab members following the formation of underground cells which came into open after coordinated intelligence. Puntland Defence forces engaged in deadly battle with Al Shabaab militants in Galgala area in mid-2010, seizing bastions and strategic areas. The militant group renewed deadly assault in the extreme hideouts along Golis Mountain ranges at the beginning of the year, 2014, with Al Shabaab gunmen targeting explosions and ambushes with Puntland government officials. (Sources: Garowe Online, 01/06/2014)