Families of Somali citizens sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia staged a protest in Mogadishu on Wednesday, demanding government intervention to halt executions and secure legal representation for their imprisoned relatives.
According to the protesters, 45 Somali nationals are currently on death row in Saudi prisons. They called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to take urgent action, with one relative pleading, “Mr. President, please release our sons. They are being held in blatant injustice.”
The demonstration follows the recent execution of Somali national Mohamed Nur Hussein Ja’al, who was convicted of drug smuggling. His family claims he was denied a fair trial and legal representation before his execution.
Somali Consul Ahmed Mahmoud Diriye (Macaruuf) confirmed that up to 50 Somalis are detained, mostly arrested near the Saudi-Yemen border. Human rights groups have raised concerns, alleging that some detainees were coerced into smuggling drugs under false pretenses.
The families are urging the Somali government to engage in diplomatic efforts to prevent further executions and ensure a fair legal process for the detainees.