Al-Shabaab financiers sentenced in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A court in Somalia has sentenced several Al-Shabaab sympathizers after a lengthy trial, in yet another milestone that puts Somalia on the right course in the fight against violent extremism, which has rocked the country for over a decade.

The Banadir court sentenced four individuals on Monday after finding credible evidence linking them to Al-Shabaab militants, with exhibits showing that they have been working directly with the group through financing.

Salah Ali Mohamud, the presiding judge, sentenced Hassan Osman Aden to 13 years in jail and ordered him to pay $20,000. This is one of the heaviest fines to ever be imposed on a financier in the recent history of Somalia, analysts say.

"The Banadir Regional Court sentenced Hassan Osman Adan to 13 years and fined him $20,000 for laundering $12.6 million for Al-Shabab over four years. His wife, daughter, and ex-wife were each sentenced to two years for their roles in the scheme," state media noted.

Three women, Fadumo Hassan Osman, Amina Abdullahi Abbabur, and Hasna Aweys Khasim were sentenced to serve two years of jail terms each. The three are directly related to the main culprit, the court heard.

The ruling underscores the Somali Government’s commitment to fighting against the terrorist militant group of Al-Shabaab and restoring peace and normalcy in all parts of the country.

The government of Somalia has recently closed 250 bank accounts and 70 money mobile transfers which were directly linked to the fight against Al-Shabaab. The government also warned those involved in the activities, asking them to surrender.

Further, the government has also warned business people supporting the militants, with those found culpable risking cancellation of their licenses. Somalia projects that by the end of this year, Al-Shabaab's threat would have been significantly reduced.

GAROWE ONLINE