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Somalia: Video of alleged police torture sparks angry protests in Somaliland, Somalia
Tue. October 03, 2006 01:35 pm. -
Alleged Hareisa jail torture |
editor's note: Somaliland government denies that any torture has taken place and dismissed the video clip as anti Somaliland propaganda. If you decide to watch it, the last few seconds are very graphic and disturbing. The prisoner is begging the interrogators to stop the electric shock and is promising to sign the papers they were forcing him to sign. Watch it here if it is still online
Mohamed Abdi Farah
(SomaliNet) Mass rally against the torture subjected to Sheik Mohamed Ismael at a prison in Hargeisa, the capital of the self declared Somaliland republic in north of Somalia, has taken place on Tuesday in Sanag, the disputed region between Somaliland and Puntland states.
Hundreds of people have gathered in Hadaftimo town in Sanag region in protest of the arrest of well-known cleric Sheik Mohamed Ismael who was unkindly beaten in Hargeysa jail by Somaliland police.
Also in Buro, the capital of Togdher in northwest Somalia, many people have turned out demanding the release of Sheik Ismael.
The protestors marched through the streets of Hadaftimo demanding the release of Sheik Ismael, one of the most respected clerics in north Somalia.
Sheik Ismael was arrested in Hargeisa for allegedly calling Ethiopia and United States as infidels and praising the Islamic Courts for having rights to defend their religion, citing the Holy Koran.
Sheikh Mohamud Jama, one of the Islamic clerics organized the rally condemned the arrest of Sheikh Ismael as illegal and expressed his concern over the harassment subjected to the Sheik.
He said Sheik Ismael was arrested for his Islamic belief and because of his minor clan in Somaliland.
Many cities and towns in northwest of Somalia, people demanded from Somaliland to immediately release Sheik Ismael.
Earlier video image of the torture on Sheik Ismael was spread on the internet. In the video, Somaliland police interogated the Sheik sometimes kicking and banging him while he was tied in the legs and hands. The last few seconds are very disturbing as they charge his neck with a high voltage stungun untill he drops to the floor.
Many religious people in Mogadishu and southern Somalia joined their voices to the demands to release Sheikh Ismael from the prison in Hargeisa.
Meanwhile, reports from Hargeisa say that Somaliland state set a religious committee to the abuse on Sheik Ismael. The board visited the Sheik in the cell yesterday despite Sheik Ismael rejection to talk to them unless his lawyer accompanies them.
Sheik Mohamed Ismael is widely known to preach the Islamic religion and his arrest was strongly condemned by many Somali clerics.
News Category: Somalia
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