(31-07-23) MOGADISHU – The Military Court of First Instance in Somalia issued its judgement on Monday in the controversial case involving the murder of a TikToker. The court sentenced one individual to death and two others to military prison for their roles in the crime.
The defendant, Mohamed Abukar Dayah, received a death sentence for his part in the murder, while his accomplice, Mohamed Ali Osman, was given a five-year term in a military prison. A third man, Sharmarke Hussein Jimale, also known as “Cr”, was sentenced to one year in prison.
The courtroom drama unfolded around a case of violent conflict, reportedly instigated over a disagreement concerning a girl active on the social media platform TikTok. Court records indicate that “Cr”, along with Mohamed Farah Mohamed, were involved in a dispute with the young woman.
In an apparent escalation of the altercation, “Cr” enlisted the help of Dayah and Osman, both members of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) People’s Guard. Tragically, the dispute resulted in the fatal shooting of Saeed Abdi Ali, who had attempted to intervene in hopes of preventing further violence. Ali was shot in the head by Dayah, as reported by the court.
The case has been the source of considerable public scrutiny, due to the high-profile nature of the defendants and the victim, as well as their links to NISA. The harsh sentences handed down by the military court highlight the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the case, reflecting the ongoing efforts to curb violent incidents and uphold the rule of law in the country.
