Gen. Abdi Mohamed Ismail, who was the former chief of the Custodial Corps was serving a life sentence after having been arrested and sentenced to life in front of a Military court on December 2012 for treason. Despite all the accusations leveled at the General, Mr. Ismail was released last Thursday after serving a meager six months, due to interference from clan elders.
Opponents accused the Somali President of not keeping his words when he promised that he would not release anyone found guilty of a crime related to Al-Shabab. Mr. Ismail has the backing of strong clan and others suspect the President of appeasing in order to attain votes to defeat a damaging motion by Somali lawmakers.

