Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Somalia’s Attorney General Suleyman Mohamed Mahmoud has announced that Sacdiyo Macalin Ali Hassan, a former Bajaj driver whose detention sparked widespread public debate and criticism, will soon appear before court, saying the investigation and prosecution process in her case is nearing completion.
Speaking in a statement released on Sunday, the Attorney General said authorities had finalized most stages of the investigation and legal procedures related to the case and that a court hearing is expected to take place in the coming days.
He also expressed concern over what he described as increasing misinformation and false narratives being circulated about Somalia’s justice institutions, particularly regarding cases being handled by security agencies and prosecutors.
According to the Attorney General, Sacdiyo was arrested on April 21, 2022, and brought before a court within 48 hours in accordance with constitutional procedures. He stated that the court reviewed preliminary investigation findings and subsequently approved her detention in line with Somali law.
The Attorney General said investigative agencies later submitted the case file to prosecutors, who in turn referred the matter to the competent court. The case is now awaiting formal hearings.
“The Office of the Attorney General is deeply concerned about the spread of misinformation, public manipulation, and attempts to undermine confidence in the country’s constitutional institutions,” the statement said.
He stressed that while freedom of expression and access to information are constitutional rights, such freedoms should not be used in ways that threaten national security, public safety, or the rights of others.
“Freedom of speech and access to information are rights guaranteed by the constitution, but they must not violate national security, public safety, or the rights of other citizens,” he said.
The Attorney General also emphasized that all Somali citizens are equal before the law and that anyone accused of a criminal offense is entitled to legal defense and fair judicial treatment under the constitution.
The statement comes nearly 24 hours after the Somali Future Council accused the Somali government of political repression, unlawful detentions, and targeting Somali youth and civilians through intimidation and abuse of state power.
The opposition-linked group claimed the current administration is increasingly relying on fear and security crackdowns to silence dissent amid rising political tensions in the country.
Sacdiyo’s case has attracted significant public attention over the past several years, particularly on social media, where activists and opposition figures have questioned the circumstances surrounding her detention and called for greater transparency from Somali authorities.
The case has become part of a broader national debate over civil liberties, due process, and the role of security agencies in politically sensitive cases under the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Human rights advocates and opposition politicians have repeatedly accused Somali security institutions of carrying out politically motivated arrests, allegations the government has denied, insisting that all detentions are conducted within the framework of the law and national security requirements.
The latest developments come amid growing political polarization in Somalia, with opposition groups intensifying criticism of the federal government over governance, constitutional amendments, and restrictions on political activity.