Today, the Banadir Regional Appeals Court in Mogadishu, Somalia, accepted to review the verdict of a three-year sentence against Sadia Moalin Ali, as the sentence contained irregularities.
The court hearing in Mogadishu, attended by the Geeska Freedom Centre (GFC), heard defense lawyers’ application to the appeals court to review the case.
The defence lawyers submitted evidence arguing that the judgment issued by the trial judge on 25 June 2026 contained text generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Working with Sadia’s defense lawyers, GFC has previously published the irregularities contained in the case. Sadia is a social rights activist and a young mother. She committed no crime and should not have been arrested in the first place.
She was arrested on 12 April 2026 for simply exercising her right to peaceful protest in Mogadishu when she joined tuk-tuk drivers protesting against fuel prices and rising taxation. Sadia had actively used her social media platforms to criticize Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud over corruption and nepotism — all of which are rightful expression.
Sadly, the judge at the Banadir Regional Court sentenced her to three years in prison on 25 June 2026 on charges related to “disrespecting government institutions” under Article 269 of the Somali Penal Code and “instigation to commit a crime” under Article 320.
Sadia, through her lawyers, told the court she was subjected to beating, stripped naked, and threatened with rape by Somali police officers.
Sadia is the mother of a 12-month-old baby daughter who needs her care.
GFC welcomes the decision by the Banadir Regional Appeals Court to carry out a review in this case. As lawyer Mohamed Sheikh Osman told GFC, the announcement means that the appeals court has agreed that the previous three-year sentence against Sadia contained irregularities.
“Our argument is the same: Sadia should never have been arrested. She did nothing wrong, and we want her immediate freedom,” lawyer Mohamed Sheikh Osman said.
GFC Director Abdalle Mumin welcomed the decision and called for full justice for Sadia.
“Today’s decision is an important step towards justice, but it is only the beginning. Sadia was prosecuted for peacefully exercising her fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. No one should face imprisonment for criticising their government or joining a peaceful protest,” Mr. Mumin said. “We urge the Appeals Court to overturn this unlawful conviction and order Sadia’s immediate release. We also call for an independent investigation into the serious allegations that she was tortured and subjected to sexual violence while in police custody.”