MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire have strongly criticized the three-year prison sentence handed down by the Banadir Regional Court against Sadia Moalin Ali Hassan, widely known as Sadia Bajaaj.
In separate statements issued following the court’s decision, the two opposition leaders described the verdict as unjust and raised concerns about its implications for freedom of expression, judicial independence, and the rights of Somali citizens to voice criticism of public institutions.
Sheikh Sharif said the sentence had shocked many Somalis and characterized it as an attempt to intimidate young people and individuals who speak out against what they view as abuses affecting residents of Mogadishu.
“The unjust three-year sentence imposed on Sadia Moalin Ali has surprised many Somalis. It sends a message of intimidation to young people and citizens who oppose abuses directed against the people of the capital,” Sheikh Sharif said.
The former president urged Somali youth and the wider public not to be discouraged by the ruling, arguing that citizens should continue to stand against injustice and work collectively to defend their rights through peaceful means.
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire also condemned the verdict, describing it as a grave injustice and an example of what he called the misuse of state power and political interference in judicial affairs.
Khaire argued that Sadia Bajaaj should not be viewed as a criminal, but rather as a mother striving to support her family under difficult economic circumstances. He noted that after completing her education, she was unable to secure employment in her field and later turned to driving a tuk-tuk to earn a living.
“Sadia Bajaaj is not a criminal; she is a mother who struggled to provide for her family,” Khaire said, adding that expressing opinions and grievances is a constitutional right guaranteed to every Somali citizen.
The former prime minister further stated that Sadia’s arrest, detention, and eventual conviction risk undermining public confidence in Somalia’s justice system. He argued that the case could discourage citizens from peacefully expressing their views on issues of public concern.
Both former leaders called for a review of the case and urged the relevant judicial authorities to reconsider the verdict. They maintained that the ruling contradicts the principles of justice, fairness, and the constitutional rights guaranteed to Somali citizens.
The case of Sadia Bajaaj has attracted widespread national and international attention over recent months, with human rights organizations, civil society groups, and political figures closely monitoring developments. The court’s decision is expected to remain a subject of debate as legal and political reactions continue to emerge across the country.