Somali rape victim and reporter face trial!.

[Maaddeey]

Somali 'rape victim' and reporter face trial

 

Woman allegedly raped by government troops and journalist who interviewed her charged with insulting state institutions.

Last Modified: 02 Feb 2013 08:31

 

Journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim has been in detention since January 10

 

A woman who says she was raped by government troops is due to go on trial in Somalia, accused of offending the honour of a state institution.

 

Her husband and a journalist who interviewed her have also been charged in the case, which rights groups have said is politically motivated. The trial is set to open on Saturday.

 

The woman was charged in Mogadishu court on Tuesday of insulting a government body, inducing false evidence, simulating a criminal offense and making a false accusation while journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim has been charged with insulting a government body and inducing the woman to give false evidence.

 

The reporter faces up to six years in prison, while the 27-year-old woman faces jail for up to nine years.

 

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Committee to Protect Journalists have said the case is linked to an increase in media attention due to the high prevalence of rape and other sexual violence in Somalia, including attacks allegedly committed by security forces.

 

'Prolonged detention'

 

HRW said the charges stem from a January 8 interview between Abdinur and the woman about her rape allegations. Abdinur did not report the story to any media outlet.

 

The US-based rights group said that on January 10, he was called to report to the Somali Central Investigations Department of the police and when he did, was detained without charge.

 

HRW said the woman retracted her claim after being interrogated for two days by the police without legal counsel. She was released but her husband was detained in her stead.

 

The United Nations says it "has raised concerns that the handling of the pre-trial phase, in particular that the prolonged detention and the [now remedied] lack of access to legal counsel could negatively impact" the trial.

 

Court documents allege that the journalist “paid money” to gather “false notices” of rape in camps for internally displaced people.

 

HRW said a man and woman who helped introduce the woman to the journalist have also been charged.

 

Somalia, which has been ravaged by relentless conflict since 1991, chose a new government in September in a United Nations-backed process, ending eight years of transitional rule by a corruption-riddled government.

 

Daniel Bekele of Human Rights Watch warned that "bringing charges against a woman who alleges rape makes a mockery" of the new Somali government's priorities.

 

"The police 'investigation' in this case was a politically motivated attempt to blame and silence those who report on the pervasive problem of sexual violence by Somali security forces," he said.

Source:

Agencies

[suleeymaan]

Comon' Maadeey, this was posted multiple times. We need fresh news and it will be helpful if you tell us what your hero Madoobe and his militias are doing in Kismyaayo. The news coming from there does not look good. Rape, killing and bililiqo is rampant in Kismaayo since this militia and their Kenyan masters moved in. You need to come out of the closet soon sxb.

[Taleexi]

Let the justice takes its course.

[Maaddeey]

 

They (Journalist and 'rape victim') are sentenced to one year prison!!. yaa lahaa min cadaalah!.

[NGONGE]

It's no good these journalists covering thier mouths now. They too share the blame for this obscene judgment and should start to clean up their act.

 

On the case, I do hope pressure is put on the Hassan Sheikh government to squash this case and free the two. Ya lahaa min cadaalah indeed.

 

p.s.

Maaddeey, when did you switch sides, saaxib? Madoobe!!!

[Maaddeey]

^^ Silly questionkii aad diidannayd miyaad billowday?.

 

Ps. they didn't shut their mouth, they are saying you can't shut our mouth, maxaa la dhihi jiray: 'the picture says it all'

[NGONGE]

^^ After Sheikh Sharif's switch, I expect ANYTHING saaxib (did you not see Gabbal supporting Hassan Sheikh?)

 

I know they didn't shut their mouths. I am saying the gesture is pointless unless they clean up their act and report seriously and with honesty. Wax fahan.

[Maaddeey]

Gabbal and others (including Sh. Shariif) waa la gartay, but how did my post here made you think I switched sides?.

 

Are you saying the reporters are to blame for this?.

[Haatu]

Maaddeey clutching at straws again I see.

 

Sad case though.

[NGONGE]

Maaddeey,

 

Dee the comments of this guy did. I was pulling your leg warya. Wax fahan.

 

suleeymaan;914978 wrote:

Comon' Maadeey, this was posted multiple times. We need fresh news and

it will be helpful if you tell us what your hero Madoobe and his militias are doing in Kismyaayo

. The news coming from there does not look good. Rape, killing and bililiqo is rampant in Kismaayo since this militia and their Kenyan masters moved in. You need to come out of the closet soon sxb.

[AYOUB]

Maaddeey championing "press freedom".

NGONGE criticises "journalists".

Another day, another Dinar.

[NGONGE]

^^ What's the problem, Ayoub? It wasn't that long a thread for you help latecomers with this quick summary of yours.

[AYOUB]

^ Well, I hesitate. Shall I leave you alone till your perspective is not as one sided like it has been, or risk you digging your heel - as usual - and tell you the problem I have with you calling for the a president to squash the case without establishing the truth?

[Qoordheerey]

Toban sano ayaan ku xukumi lahaa najaasta, maxkamada dhexdeeda ayay ku qosleeysay.

[NGONGE]

AYOUB;915982 wrote:

^ Well, I hesitate. Shall I leave you alone till your perspective is not as one sided like it has been, or risk you digging your heel - as usual - and tell you the problem I have with you calling for the a president to squash the case without establishing the truth?

Don't keep dipping your toe in warya, either jump right in or sit back and watch dee.

 

p.s.

I understand the case of truth and all that and did take it into consideration when typing my words but I believe squashing the case (regardless of the truth) is for the greater good, in this instance. Wax fahan.