2/17/2025
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Somali military court sentences five to ten years for highway robbery
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    Thursday January 16, 2025


    Members of the Somali Military Tribunal preside over a case involving suspects accused of operating illegal roadblocks in the Hiiraan region. SUPPLIED

    Beledweyne (HOL) — A Somali Military Court sentenced five men to 10 years in prison on Thursday for operating illegal roadblocks and robbing travellers on a key highway in the Hiiraan region, a stark warning as the government intensifies efforts to restore law and order.

    The men were arrested by National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) forces during a recent operation targeting illegal checkpoints between Beledweyne and Matabaan, a stretch of road often plagued by criminal activity. A sixth suspect, injured during the operation, is recovering in hospital and was unable to attend the trial.

    During the court hearing, investigators revealed that the men extorted money from drivers and passengers travelling along the highway. Engineer Yusuf, the lead investigator, testified that the accused engaged in blatant robbery, disrupting the lives of civilians and undermining security in the regioSome of the men admitted to their crimes during the proceedings but appealed for leniency, claiming they had previously served as local militia members who helped defend their communities.

    Lieutenant Mahamoud Said, the deputy prosecutor of the Military Court, urged the judges to impose harsh penalties. “These actions jeopardize public safety and undermine trust in the government’s ability to protect its citizens,” he said, adding that a firm response was necessary to deter similar crimes.

    The court ruled to confiscate the men’s weapons and sentenced each to 10 years in military prison. The verdict coincides with heightened efforts by Somali federal forces, who recently took over security operations in Beledweyne to stabilize the region and dismantle criminal networks.

    Hiiraan, strategically located in central Somalia, has long suffered from insecurity fueled by Al-Shabaab militants and criminal gangs. The government’s crackdown on illegal checkpoints and robberies is part of a broader campaign to reassert control over key territories and restore stability across the country.

     





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