According to SSC-Khaatumo police, the brutal assault took place on 14 June in Laascaanood, the regional capital.

Photos of the suspects were released by the police following their arrest on Tuesday 17 June.

“Twenty-four men who gang raped two sisters are now in our custody, and we will be taking them to court,” said SSC-Khaatumo Police Spokesperson, Captain Liibaan Barre.

The horrific case triggered mass protests on Wednesday, with hundreds of residents taking to the streets.

Demonstrations began after reports emerged that one of the suspects had been temporarily released to sit for the national high school exams.

Police later confirmed that the suspect was re-arrested.

The unrest led to property destruction, looting, and the death of at least one person.

The two victims, both teenagers, had recently been displaced from Erigabo, Sanaag region, and were seeking refuge in Laascaanood, where ongoing conflict has already taken a toll on the civilian population.

A police source told Kaab TV that one of the girls went into shock and remains hospitalized.

Support services for survivors of sexual violence in the region are nearly non-existent. Local health workers lack the specialized training to deal with rape cases, and deep-rooted social taboos often prevent women and girls from coming forward.

SSC-Khaatumo leader Abdiqadir Aw-Jama Firdhiye, who returned to Laascaanood from Mogadishu on Thursday, condemned the attack and pledged swift justice.

He confirmed that a team of police investigators had been brought in from the capital to assist with the case.

“I want to state very clearly: we will ensure justice for the girls,” Firdhiye said.

He criticized police for releasing a suspect to sit for exams, calling it “a serious mistake that should never be repeated.”

He also extended condolences to residents who lost property during the protests.

The Laascaanood case is yet another stark example of the violence women face in Somalia, where rape cases are frequently resolved through clan negotiations — often forcing victims to marry their attackers.

In a separate statement, police acknowledged attempts by some individuals to interfere with the investigation.

“We warn against any attempt to obstruct the pursuit of justice for the girls, who have suffered physical abuse, psychological harm, and violations,” the police said on Thursday. “Those responsible are in custody and will be brought to justice as intended.”

Local officials told Kaab TV that the case is now being handled by an investigative committee appointed by the SSC-Khaatumo Minister of Justice.

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Aden, a father of 13 children, was arrested along with several others, according to the Office of the Attorney General, on alleged charges of “stealing fuel from the Ministry of Information“.

While the allegations were not proven and some of his co-accused were already released after the intervention of powerful officials from the presidency and the Ministry of Information, Aden remains behind bars because he comes from a minority clan.

On Thursday morning, July 13, a deputy Attorney General named Abdullahi Yusuf visited Aden at the C.I.D and informed him of his innocence. However, he delivered a disheartening message: Aden would be set free if he could pay the exorbitant sum of U.S  $1,500, according to the family and insider sources at the police.

Family members of Aden revealed that he was instructed to contact his family and request them to raise the demanded amount.

According to the Deputy Prosecutor Abdullahi Yusuf, the money was to be handed over to Judge Salah Dheere from the Supreme Court and Chairman Salah Daban from the Banadir Regional Court. Their involvement was allegedly to ensure Aden’s release, despite his innocence.

While this distressing episode unfolded at the Mogadishu C.I.D, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) were engaged in the launch of the so-called Joint Justice and Corrections Programme in Mogadishu. They were seen socializing with corrupt Somali officials including the Attorney General Sulayman Mohamud, Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf, and the Justice Minister Hassan Sheikh Ali, among others all funded by western taxpayers’ money.

The juxtaposition of these events highlights the troubling prevalence of corruption within Mogadishu’s law enforcement agencies. Aden’s continued detention, despite claims of innocence and the release of other accused individuals, raises concerns about the fairness and integrity of the justice system.

The international community, which invests considerable resources in supporting Somalia’s governance and justice sectors, must take note of these troubling developments. Abdalle Mumin, an outspoken human rights defender and the Secretary-General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate who first broke the story on Thursday expressed their concern for lack of accountability, transparency, and the upholding of the rule of law.

The plight of Aden Muhidin Isaaq serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by ordinary citizens caught up in a system marred by corruption and undue influence. As the people of Somalia yearn for justice and stability, it is crucial for the government to address these systemic issues, hold accountable those responsible for corruption, and ensure a fair and impartial justice system for all its citizens.

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