Mogadishu – Somalia’s attorney general confirmed on Monday that detained bajaj driver and activist Sadia Moallim Ali Hassan will soon appear before court, stating her case has reached the final stage of investigation and prosecution.
Attorney General Suleyman Mohamed Mahmoud stated the case was handled following legal procedures and accused critics of disseminating inaccurate information about the nation’s justice institutions.
He mentioned Ali was arrested on April 21 and presented to a court within 48 hours, as stipulated by Somalia’s constitution. The court examined a preliminary investigation report and sanctioned her detention, he added.
According to the attorney general, investigators have finalized and submitted the case file, and prosecutors have transferred the case to the appropriate court. He mentioned a hearing is anticipated shortly.
The statement emerges as criticism intensifies from opposition leaders and human rights groups, who have accused the government of illegally detaining Ali and utilizing the justice system to suppress young people and government critics.
The Somali Future Council on Sunday charged the federal government with political repression, unlawful detention and assaults on Somali youth and the public, asserting the current system operates through fear and force.
Ali’s case has garnered broader attention due to her online activism and involvement in protests by bajaj drivers in Mogadishu. Rights groups indicate the protests centered on grievances such as alleged corruption, unemployment, favoritism, elevated taxes and increasing fuel costs.
Amnesty International has characterized Ali’s detention as arbitrary, stating she was targeted exclusively for exercising her right to freedom of expression. The rights organization noted she had not been provided with legal representation and that her family had not been notified of formal charges.
In a video shared online, Ali reportedly stated Somalia’s leadership would be held accountable for any harm inflicted upon her.
The attorney general dismissed allegations that justice institutions were operating illegally, asserting all Somali citizens are equal under the law and that anyone accused of a crime possesses the constitutional right to defense and access to justice.
He also cautioned against what he termed as false information and public misinformation aimed at security, prosecution and judicial institutions.
“Freedom of expression and access to information is a right protected by the constitution, yet it must not be compromised at the expense of national security, public safety and the rights of others,” Mahmoud stated.
Amnesty has called on Somali authorities to release Ali immediately or guarantee her detention complies with international human rights standards, including access to legal counsel, family visits and proper healthcare.