Puntland Armed Forces Court on Tuesday held a hearing of a case of 10 men accused of being members of the terrorist group of Al-Shabab and Daesh. Two foreign nationals are reported to be those that have appeared before the court in Bosaso. One of those who appeared before the court has told that he defected from the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group of Al-Shabab. Al-Shabab planned for him to set up training camp in Buhodle and surrounding areas in Ayn region.
He said that many people residing in Buhodle are members of the militant group of Al-shabab. He added that most of them had attended trainings held in Jilib, al-Shabab’s stronghold base. He further recounted before the court in Bosaso that he was encouraged to the join the militant group of Al-shabab while staying in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital and later decided to travel to Jilib town.
He went on to say that he first surrendered to the paramilitary troops in Ethiopia’s Somali region known as the Liyuu Police. Liyuu Police told him that they could not assist him. He said that the Liyuu Police advised him to go to Puntland. He argued that he is not guilty of a crime that he committed. He revealed that after he was not satisfied with Al-Shaba’s ideology, he defected from the group. He further disclosed that Al-Shabab militant group intimidated him and told him that they will kill him.
However, Puntland Armed Forces Court is expected to issue a verdict concerning those alleged to be members of the terrorist groups.
The names of those who appeared before the court are:-
- Nur Mohamed Ma’alin, aged 30.
- Mutahar hamud Qaayib, aged 24. He is a foreign national.
- Salaad Qasayr Muse, aged 62.
- Mushiir Mohamed Saed, aged 38. He is a foreign national.
- Ibrahim Yusuf Ali, aged 35.
- Abdilahi Ali Ayuub, aged 25.
- Abdilahi ahmed Yusuf, aged 25.
- Mohamed Ma’alin Adan, aged 25.
- Hassan Yusuf Ma’alin, aged 27
- Ahmed Mohamed Abdi, aged 40.
