The Hargeisa District Court today sentenced writer Adan Sahan to three years in prison; he had been detained in Hargeisa and was accused of offending religion.
The charges against Adan Sahan stem from remarks made during an interview with Galaydh TV, in which he discussed his views on the role of women and societal changes resulting from the advent of technology.
In the interview, Adan stated that, in an era where technology has significantly impacted society, the home environment poses greater risks to women than public marketplaces; consequently, he advocated for encouraging women to step outside the confines of the home.
He also addressed the Quranic verse regarding women staying at home, arguing that the interpretation and application of this matter should take into account current realities and societal changes.
The court, which began hearing the case today, issued the three-year sentence on the same day, according to individuals present at the proceedings.
Adan Sahan’s father spoke to the media, claiming that the verdict had been pre-determined and arguing that the case was not given a genuine hearing. He stated that his son had repented and that a document confirming this had been drawn up, yet neither that document nor the results of the police investigation were read out in court. Meanwhile, the Somaliland Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments had previously issued a letter requesting that Adan Sahan be granted his freedom.
Prominent Somaliland lawyers, including Guuleed Dafac, have also criticized the verdict, stating that the legal proceedings lacked fairness.
To date, the court has not provided comprehensive official details regarding the legal grounds for the ruling or the rationale behind the three-year sentence.
