Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis Standard2
Published on 2024-04-19 12:04:34
The Federal High Court in Dire Dawa, Branch 4 of the Criminal Bench in Jigjiga, has recently handed down sentencing for eight individuals involved with the Al-Shabaab terror group. These individuals have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 5 to 12 years for their alleged participation in terrorist activities.
According to reports from the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation, the defendants were apprehended by the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and regional security agencies. The investigation into their activities was conducted by the Federal Police Commission’s crime investigators, in conjunction with regional police.
The individuals sentenced in the first case include Hassan Ibrahim (Hafo), Aman Qasim (Salhadin), Jibril (Nasredin) Rasha, Abdulhakim (Zeid) Hussain, and Tamam (Hamza) Sheh Abdo, who each received prison terms of 11 to 12 years. In the second case, Abdi Tahir Kole, Aden Salad Kadye, and Maali Dr. Gure were each sentenced to 5 years for providing information to the Al-Shabaab group.
These prosecutions followed a joint investigation by federal police and regional security forces after the defendants were captured in 2022 during an alleged incursion by Al-Shabaab militants into eastern Ethiopia. The mission of the militants was to infiltrate the Somali region from Somalia, potentially targeting areas with oil resources and advancing towards the country’s center through the Afdheer zone. Fortunately, their plans were thwarted by joint operations by federal and regional forces.
The court proceedings were organized by the Dire Dawa Office of the Ministry of Justice, and the defendants were charged under Decree No. 1176/2012 for the prevention and control of terrorist crimes. The accused were alleged to have been trained as members of the Al-Shabaab group and engaged in treasonous activities to coerce the government and terrorize the people.
During the trial, it was revealed that the defendants had been involved in terrorist activities in various areas of the Somali region since the end of 2022, supporting the terrorist group by providing information. After considering the prosecutor’s argument for harsher punishment and the defendants’ plea for leniency, the court handed down varying sentences.
Hassan Ibrahim (Hafo) received an 11-year sentence, while the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th defendants were each sentenced to 12 years. In the second case, Abdi Tahir Kole, Aden Salad Kadye, and Maali Dr. Gure were sentenced to 5 years for providing information to Al-Shabaab.
Overall, the sentencing of these individuals reflects the ongoing efforts of Ethiopian authorities to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of the region. Collaborative investigations and prosecutions have been crucial in holding accountable those involved in extremist activities and preventing future threats to national security.
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