Somalia: Several prisoners shot dead in southern Somalia

BELED HAWO, Somalia- 4 detainees were said to be shot dead at a location near the central Police station in Beled Hawo district in Gedo region on Sunday, Garowe Online reports.

The detainees who are accused to be linked to the terrorist group al-Shabaab were arrested by the security forces in Beled Hawo and transferred to the central Police station for further investigation. 

GO reporter in Gedo region revealed that government forces took the detainees out of the central Police station on Sunday night and shot them dead at an open square in the town.

However, there is no statement released from the district officials regarding the execution of 4 detainees by government forces. There was no court trials or verdicts sentenced against the suspects.

Residents told GO that those suspects are involved in killing of government forces and were captured at the outskirts of the town during security operations against militant group al-Shabaab.

Extrajudicial killings were reported to occur frequently in the past period particularly in Juba regions and Gedo region, as government forces managed to push away al-Qaida-linked al-Shabaab group from many areas and arrested dozen fighters.

GAROWEONLINE