The ruling came after a series of court proceedings that centered on accusations brought by the Office of the Attorney General against the young women’s rights advocate, who has been in detention since April 12, 2026. Her supporters and rights groups have repeatedly questioned both the legal basis of her detention and the manner in which the case was handled.

The second hearing in the case was held on June 23, 2026, after being postponed two days earlier without an official explanation. The postponement came amid a change in the judicial panel, as the judge who presided over the initial hearing was replaced before the proceedings resumed.

During the first hearing on June 1, prosecutors charged Sadia with “insulting state institutions” and “incitement to commit a crime.” The charges stemmed primarily from social media videos in which she criticized former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and members of his family, as well as comments she made regarding the conduct of government institutions.

Defense lawyers argued that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the charges and maintained that the accusations lacked the detail necessary to establish criminal liability. They contended that Sadia, a mother who earned a living as a tuk-tuk driver, was being prosecuted for exercising her right to express opinions on matters of public interest.

The case took a new turn when a different judge, Salah Ali Mohamud, commonly known as “Salah Dabaan,” presided over the second hearing. The change in judges generated controversy among some of Sadia’s supporters and members of the defense team, who questioned the circumstances surrounding the replacement. Court officials did not publicly explain the reasons for the judicial change.

Access to the courtroom during the second hearing was heavily restricted. Journalists were reportedly barred from entering with cameras and were not permitted to report from inside the courtroom. Some media personnel also stated that they were instructed not to take notes during the proceedings, raising concerns among observers about transparency.

Defense lawyers later alleged that video clips released from the hearing did not accurately reflect the full proceedings and omitted key arguments presented by the defense. They further claimed that certain excerpts circulated online created a misleading impression of what had transpired inside the courtroom.

Throughout the proceedings, prosecutors presented several pieces of evidence, including social media content and interviews allegedly given by Sadia while in detention. Among the issues discussed in court were her public statements regarding conditions in detention facilities and allegations she had made concerning her treatment while in custody.

Sadia told the court that she had been subjected to threats while under detention, including allegations that a police investigator threatened her with sexual violence. She identified the officer by the nickname “Big Show.” The defense argued that these allegations should be independently investigated and called for those responsible, if any wrongdoing occurred, to be held accountable.

Prosecutors also accused her of participating in demonstrations in Mogadishu and of being associated with youth-led activism critical of government policies. Her legal team rejected those claims and insisted that the prosecution had failed to establish any criminal conduct.

The case attracted significant international attention. Several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network), expressed concern about her detention and called for her release. Other advocacy groups argued that the case raised broader questions about freedom of expression, due process, and the treatment of detainees in Somalia.

Following more than two months in custody, the Banadir Regional Court ultimately found Sadia guilty and sentenced her to three years in prison. The verdict is expected to remain the subject of legal and public debate, with supporters indicating that they intend to challenge the ruling through the appeals process.

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