Somali Government Jails Woman for Three Years Over Social Media Criticism
A Somali court has sentenced a 27-year-old woman to three years in prison after she criticised the country’s government on social media, a ruling that has sparked widespread condemnation from former political leaders and human rights organisations.
The woman, Sadia Moalim Ali, was convicted of insulting government institutions over comments she posted on Facebook and TikTok.
Her posts highlighted issues including rising fuel prices, youth unemployment, alleged corruption, nepotism and forced evictions. She was acquitted of a separate charge of incitement.
The verdict, delivered on Thursday, has drawn strong reactions across Somalia.
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire described the sentence as politically motivated and unjust, while other prominent figures, including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, also criticised the ruling.
The Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders called for Ali’s immediate release, saying her conviction was an attack on freedom of expression.
The group added that women who advocate for social and political change in Somalia continue to face intimidation, arbitrary arrests and discrimination.
Ali’s lawyer said the defence team has rejected the judgment and will appeal the conviction, arguing that the punishment was unnecessarily harsh.
The nursing graduate, who also worked as a rickshaw driver and is the sole provider for her family, has been in detention since April.
During her detention, she alleged that she was tortured, held in solitary confinement, denied food and basic necessities, and threatened with rape by security officers.
Human rights groups have repeatedly accused Somali authorities of using arrests, detention and intimidation to silence journalists, activists and government critics, warning that restrictions on free expression have intensified in recent years.
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