Six teenage boys allegedly forced two girls into a car and drove them to the outskirts of Galdogob before they girls were subjected to violent
A group of men was arrested earlier this month after they forced two girls into a car and drove them to the outskirts of Galdogob before they were violently raped and assaulted, a viral video surfaced of the attack which occurred in December of last year. One of the girls assaulted was hospitalized for a month following the attack.
A sentencing document obtained by Idale News Online lists the sentences as follows
1) Shirwa Jama Junle was sentenced to 200 lashes, a ten-year prison sentence as well as a $4620 USD fine
2) Yasir Maher Hashi was sentenced to 200 lashes, an eight-year prison sentence and a fine of $3520USD
3) Ayanle Wale was sentenced to 100 lashes, a seven-year prison sentence and a fine $2560USD
4) Yahya Awka was sentenced to 100 lashes, a six-year prison term, and a fine of $1760USD.
5) Abdirizak Hosh Jibril was sentenced to 100 lashes, a five-year prison term and a fine of $1760USD.
The total sum of $14,220 is to be paid to the two victims. One victim will receive $6080 while the one who sustained more serious injuries will receive $8140.
A six man, who was initially arrested with the group was found not guilty by the court. According to testimony heard at the trial, he did not participate in the gang-rape and assault but he recorded it. The court ruled that the video was instrumental in securing the convictions of the other five men. He has been since released.
A Sharia court convicted five men and acquitted one of rape and assault
The Puntland Police commissioner, General Erag, has told Idale News that the men will be transferred to a Garowe prison to serve out their sentence.
Puntland recently enacted a law criminalizing sexual assault under the Sexual Offense Act in December 2016, a first in Somalia. Under that law, a convicted rapist could receive up to a 30-year prison sentence. However cooperation with local elders as hindered the implication of the law.
