Somalia convicts 11 over deadly Al-Shabaab prison attack
-
Staff reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 27-10-2020, 08:27AM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - A military court in Somalia over the weekend convicted 11 people over links to a prison break that saw several inmates and prison guards killed in the country's most renowned correctional facility, besides creating uncertainty over the security in such facilities within the country.
The August 12 incident saw at least 16 people killed following an unprecedented break that saw notorious Al-Shabaab prisoners ambush guards leading to several hours of a gunfight that left several people dead. Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants had taken responsibility for the attack.
Mubarak Ibrahim, an al-Shabab militant who was serving a 10-year term at the facility before escaping during the prison break, was sentenced to death in absentia for the escape and the murder of two people in the process. He killed innocent people as he made his way out of the prison.
The six guards who were on duty that day were also given sentences ranging from six months to five years, after convicting them of involvement. They have been accused and convicted of working with collaborators at the expense of the country's elaborate security systems leading to the unfortunate incident.
Mohamed Nur Isaq, who used to deliver food to the inmates, was convicted of smuggling in weapons ahead of the attack. He was sentenced to five years. The court ordered the release of another guard for lack of sufficient evidence. The 12 August prison break left at least 16 people dead.
The country is relying on military courts to pass judgments with regard to capital offenses and the system has often been criticized for being "undemocratic". Military judge Col. Hassan Nor is however widely commended for fixing the country's justice system.
Al-Shabaab militants are tried and held in Mogadishu Central prison which is considered as the most secured across the country. Authorities in Somalia had formed a task force to investigate the prison break and it was established that it was an inside job.
GAROWE ONLINE
