Somalia: Puntland executes two Al Shabaab convicted terrorists
11 Dec 11, 2011 - 1:32:31 PM
GAROWE, Somalia Dec 11, 2011 (Garowe Online) – Government officials in Somalia’s Puntland State say they have executed two men convicted of committing terrorism crimes in Puntland, Radio Garowe reports.
Puntland’s Attorney-General Mohamud Hassan Aw’Osman told the media during a Saturday press conference in the Puntland capital of Garowe that the two men were executed by firing squad.
“The two men were convicted of terrorism crimes and they both have confessed openly,” said Puntland’s Attorney-General, who showcased videotape confessions to the media.
The two men were identified as Mr. Abdullahi Abdulle Iman and Mr. Osman Abdi Gabow. Both men are from south-central Somalia, according to Puntland security sources.
Mr. Aw’Osman, the Attorney-General, told reporters that Mr. Iman was convicted of killing two persons – a policeman and a community elder. The second man, Mr. Gabow, was convicted after confessing to have killed five persons in Puntland’s port city of Bossaso – including two policemen and three civilians.
“Al Shabaab terrorist group has declared to kill anyone who is active or educated in Puntland…and so we have declared no mercy for anyone associated with Al Shabaab terrorist group,” said Puntland’s Attorney-General, Mr. Mohamud Hassan Aw’Osman.
It is not the first time that convicted terrorists have been executed in Puntland State. According to the Attorney-General, there are a number of terrorists convicted under Puntland's Counter-Terrorism Law of 2010 who will face execution in the coming weeks and months.
In 2010, Puntland’s government fought a three-month war against Al Shabaab militants in the Galgala mountains (Golis range) along Somalia’s northern coast. Al Shabaab is accused of committing bombings and targeted assassinations in Puntland, including killing a prominent Islamic scholar in Bossaso last week. READ: Islamic leaders blame Al Shabaab for scholar’s assassination
Puntland State is located in northeastern Somalia and has been relatively stable with its own government since 1998.
