4/25/2025
Today from Hiiraan Online:  _
advertisements
Google
Puntland court jails man for assaulting Yemeni refugee child in Garowe
670 Shares
    FacebookFacebook messengerTwitterWhatsAppLinkedInTelegramEmail


    Thursday March 13, 2025



    The Nugaal Regional First Instance Court convicts 42-year-old security guard Cabdifataax Cabdinuur (right) for assaulting an eight-year-old Yemeni refugee child in Garowe. The judge (left) sentenced him to four years in prison and imposed a $1,500 fine for the attack, which sparked public outrage and calls for stronger refugee protections in Puntland.

    Garowe (HOL) — A Puntland court has sentenced a security guard to four years in prison and fined him $1,500 for assaulting an eight-year-old Yemeni refugee child in Garowe, the regional capital.

    The Nugaal Regional First Instance Court ruled that 42-year-old Abdifatah Abdinur was guilty of a human rights violation after a widely circulated video showed him beating the child, identified as Mohamed Adil Hussein, with a stick. The court determined that the attack caused both physical injuries and psychological trauma.

    In addition to his sentence, the court found that Abdinur had illegally worn a government security uniform despite having no official ties to Puntland's security forces. He has been banned from holding any public office for one year.

    The assault has sparked widespread condemnation. Garowe Mayor Ahmed Said Muse denounced the attack, emphasizing that such actions do not reflect the values of the community. He called for justice and assured measures would be taken to prevent similar incidents. He ​invited Mohamed and his father, Adel Mohamed, to his office to offer a formal apology on behalf of the community. As a gesture of respect, the mayor draped a men's shawl over their shoulders, aligning with Somali tradition.

    The mayor reassured the family of the local government's commitment to their welfare, stating, "He and his family are part of our community, and we are committed to ensuring such incidents do not happen again."

    Abdinur worked as a security guard at Garowe's Inji Market, where the young victim sold prayer beads to support his family. The case has fueled growing concerns over the treatment of refugee children in Somalia, with human rights advocates urging authorities to implement stronger protections.

    The ruling comes amid discussions on legal accountability in Puntland, where cases of abuse against vulnerable populations often go unpunished. Advocacy groups are calling for stricter enforcement of child protection laws and greater oversight of private security personnel.


    Garowe Mayor Abdulkadir Geeddi drapes a traditional shawl over Mohamed Adil Hussein and his father in a symbolic gesture of solidarity after the Yemeni refugee child was assaulted. The mayor reaffirmed the local government's commitment to the welfare and protection of refugees in Puntland.

     





    Click here