MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – The Banadir Regional Appeals Court upheld the death penalty for Sayid Ali Moalim on Wednesday for the murder of his ex-wife, Luul Abdiasis, in late January in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The case, which has been in the courts for over three months, began after Sayid Ali’s arrest.
He had initially fled Mogadishu after allegedly burning Luul to death, but was later arrested and brought back.
This incident has been described as the first femicide against a vulnerable woman in Somalia, a nation already grappling with rising abuses against women and girls.
After a series of hearings filled with accusations, counter-accusations, and even threats against the victim’s family, the Banadir Regional Court initially sentenced Sayid Ali to death on March 6.
His lawyers appealed the verdict, leading to further legal battles that delayed proceedings during the month of Ramadan.
At the end of April, the appeals court started reviewing the case, with defense lawyers arguing against the initial verdict.
“There are a lot of questions involved in the previous verdict and we appealed against it,” said Ali Halane, one of Moalim’s defense attorneys.
However, the family’s lawyers countered with additional evidence implicating Sayid Ali in the brutal attack on Luul.
Medics, neighbors, and first responders who rushed to Luul’s aid testified about the severity and intentionality of the attack.
“At the time she was brought to the hospital, she was dead,” stated a medic who testified in court.
The victim’s lawyers also stated that the murder was “a planned ruthless attack through an act of retaliation” due to worsened relations between Sayid Ali and Luul who had a previous marriage with five children.
Sentenced to death penalty
The Court of Appeal concluded its hearings on Sunday and announced its decision through the chairman, Said Ali Mohamed.
“After having listened to all sides and in the conclusion of the hearings, the court hereby announces that Sayid Ali Moalim Daud is sentenced to death penalty, which is the retribution for the murder of Luul Abdiasis,” said Mohamed.
The announcement of the verdict was witnessed by relatives of both Luul Abdiasis and Sayid Ali Moalim Daud.
Despite the upheld sentence, Sayid Ali’s defense lawyers expressed their intention to appeal to a higher court.
“We are not satisfied with the same verdict that we have already appealed against,” lawyer Ali Halane told local media before the announcement of the Court of Appeal’s decision.
