roobleh Posted June 30, 2007 Minneapolis, MN (HOL) - A prominent Somali playwright accused of molesting a 10-year-old girl missed two court dates this week and may have fled the country, sources tell Minnesota Monitor. Mahamud Abdullahi Isse, 71, of Minneapolis, was charged last January with first-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to a complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court, the alleged incident took place in 1995. The victim, who is now 21, was staying at a relative's house where Isse frequently visited. She regarded him as an "uncle." He would bring her candy bars and allegedly would get into her bed, fondle her breasts and had sex with her, according to the complaint. The victim, who moved to Washington state in 1997, was in Minneapolis in January last year for a visit when she ran into Isse at the Somali mall. The complaint said that Isse gave her his phone number and said he wanted to see her again. She would later record their phone conversations, in which he allegedly admits having sex with her when she was 10. Widely known as Sangub, Isse also admitted to investigators that he fondled the young girl, according to the complaint. The highly respected playwright and actor pleaded not guilty. He was out on bail, but failed to show up for his trial Monday. The judge set Tuesday as the next date, fortified his old bail and doubled it to $300,000, according to Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Amy Sweasy, who is prosecuting the case. When he didn't show up again for court on Tuesday, the judge issued an arrest warrant. Isse's attorney, Richard J. Cohen of St. Paul, who was at the court on both days, said he doesn't know the whereabouts of his client. Cohen said he spoke with Isse about 10 days ago. Sources familiar with Isse, who didn't want to be identified out of respect for his family, confirmed for Minnesota Monitor that he was in Minnesota 10 days ago. But the sources learned that Isse was sneaked out of the country late last week. Both Isse's attorney and the county attorney's office said they didn't know that. Sweasy cautioned that Isse's friends might disseminate inaccurate information about him so that authorities will stop looking for him. "That's not going to happen," she said. "But if it's true that he fled the country, it shows that he was not willing to face the charges against him." Isse's case sent shock waves within the Somali community in Minnesota. Many Somalis said they never believed that the talented poet and director of many hit plays and films would do such a thing. His work is full of anecdotes and noble words for women. "He's a national hero who is bigger than what he's accused," said Yusuf Yusuf, known as Liban DJ, a filmmaker who worked with Isse on several plays. But his sudden disappearance cast serious doubt on his credibility, many Somalis said. Minnesota Monitor's source didn't know where Isse may have gone. Abdirahman Aynte can be reached at Ceynte@hiiraan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baashi Posted June 30, 2007 As a parent, I'm fuming with anger! How could he? If this is true (and if is the operative word), I want that sucker serve his time? Adduunyo!! Talk about falling from grace!!!!! Ilaahoow khatumada ha na seejin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Som@li Posted June 30, 2007 If it is not true, why the old dude is now in hiding, after he admitted to molestation charges of a little kid! He will be caught IA. She is a brave girl, to speak out! National Hero?, This is America! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kool_Kat Posted June 30, 2007 As a parent of a girl, this kind of information first scares me, then pisses me off... It makes you (as a parent) wonder who you can trust... National hero my behind...He is nothing but a worthless piece of crab, and trust me I have many many more colourful words for him...If he can do this to this girl, how many more could there be...Cuz I am sure he just didn't start molesting at the age of 60...This is making me sick to my stomach... I saw him recently on TV, had I know, I would've spat on the TV...UFFFFFF... :mad: :mad: He can run now, but he can not run from Allah SW...He will pay, and when that comes he'll have NOWHERE to run to... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aaliyyah Posted June 30, 2007 I personally don’t know who sungub is. I have seen him in "qabyo part one and two" when I watched it a while back. He is quite an actor, and actually as actor he does excel, all his jokes were funny and hilarious. I personally thought he was a kool actor. Again, I recently saw him on TV giving a speech that he supports somaliweyn. I had quite respect for him. However, I did hear this story a while back, but I thought there was more to it and that he was being framed. But, if this girl actually taped their conversation and he admitted then it must be true. It is disgusting and my heart goes out for that girl that went though it, I am sure it must have been hard for her to admit and discuss such matters given that we are Somalis. Anyhow, if this dude is sick then he should be put away for good, I don’t know why he still being welcomed in our society in a respectful manner. Personally, I believe in innocent till proven guilty, if this girl has a prove then what are we waiting for? How can we still be okay with him being around?? I have younger sisters, some of you have kids, I am sure we would want them to be safe, and this matter should be taken seriously. There is still this question that I have been thinking about. Who leaves their 10 years old child without being supervised by an adult? Or was he babysitting her? Wa salaamu alaikum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roobleh Posted June 30, 2007 He has fled the country and back to Somalia as rumors say. This wouldn't help him since the shame will be with him for the rest of his life, even if he never gets caught. My question is, will the Somalia's TFG is going to cooporate with the US authorities to bring him back to Minnesota to face the charges? Is there any possibilies that Minnesota's DA will offer money for his info and arrest that would attract many Somali warlords to capture and hand him over to US? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGONGE Posted June 30, 2007 How in the world can one fondle the breasts of a ten year old? Maybe she was fat! (I'm thinking aloud here, don't mind me). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cara. Posted July 1, 2007 Ngonge, maybe that was the whole point. For some individuals their absence is the appeal. What plays did he write? Were any performed in Somalia? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N.O.R.F Posted July 1, 2007 Talk about falling from grace Tell me about it! From having problems with his Mrs 'Chino' to this :rolleyes: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar Posted July 1, 2007 Originally posted by Cara: What plays did he write? Were any performed in Somalia? The man arguably wrote the most famous plays Soomaalis have had known. He is an abwaan and a playwriter. He wrote many songs as an abwaan, and numerous plays as a playwriter. Most famous ones being the nationalist plays in the 1970s Soomaali Galbeed war, such as Waa maadays adduunyada, dadkuna way matalayaan and Gari makaa baxdaa. He also wrote, I don't know which ruwaayad it was in, for that '70s war that well-regarded xaad ku kicineyso daljecel song: Dhulka soo anigu malihi? [Haa, haa] Dalka [dadka] soo anigu malihi? [Haa, haa] Ninkii dhoof ku yimid bee geerida dhibeysaa Waqtigii dhamaayo Wuu dhaqaaqi doonaa. And of course the most well-known and well-liked of them all: Qabrigii Jaceylka. He both wrote the play, which the song includes, in the '70s. And last being the post-civil war plays he wrote at dibadda where he resides now, for and about dibadjooga, including labadii lala dhacay Qabyo and Qabyo II. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGONGE Posted July 1, 2007 Originally posted by Cara: Ngonge, maybe that was the whole point. For some individuals their absence is the appeal. What plays did he write? Were any performed in Somalia? That's a thought I suppose! Still, how exciting it is to have our first known paedophile, eh! We're finally turning into a wholesome society with our fair share of vices rather than plain virtues. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cara. Posted July 1, 2007 ^I think some people wouldn't object if he had given her father cash instead of her candy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Som@li Posted July 1, 2007 He is Singub, not Sangub! He is talented playwriter,and Poet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
