GAROWE, Somalia, Oct 8 (Horn Life) – A court in Somalia’s Nugaal region on Wednesday sentenced Sharmaarke Hussein Yusuf to 25 years in prison for the kidnapping and rape of three women, including two minor sisters, in a case that has gripped the local community.
The court found Yusuf guilty based on evidence and a formal confession, confirming his involvement in the crimes. It described him as a habitual offender with a history of sexual violence, labeling him a threat to society. Court records revealed that Yusuf was previously convicted in 2020 for raping one of the victims in the current case.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of $25,000, with the funds designated to compensate the victims for the trauma inflicted. The ruling is intended to send a strong message to deter similar crimes, the court said.
Court President Abdikariin Mohamed Nur stated that Yusuf has one month to appeal the verdict if he is dissatisfied with the decision. The case, heard over several months in Garowe, has drawn significant public attention, particularly due to the involvement of two minor girls from a disadvantaged family.
The sisters had been sent to the city by their parents to contribute to the family’s livelihood. Yusuf abducted the minors in mid-2025 within Garowe and raped them. Police used CCTV footage from the streets to gather evidence, leading to his arrest days later.
Horn Life
