Somali government seeks to overturn death sentences of nearly 40 nationals in Saudi Arabia

Somali government is working to overturn death sentences imposed on nearly 40 Somali nationals currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia as part of an effort to secure legal protections for its citizens abroad.

Somali Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hassan Moalim announced on Friday that he had discussed the matter with the Saudi Ambassador to Somalia.

Their talks focused on ensuring Somali nationals have access to justice, as well as establishing judicial cooperation between the 2 countries.

"I discussed with the Saudi ambassador the cessation of executions of Somali youth, and he accepted our request. We also discussed establishing a relationship of cooperation in the field of justice and judicial cooperation," said Minister Moalim.

The minister further proposed a prisoner exchange agreement with Saudi Arabia, allowing convicted Somali citizens to serve their sentences in Somalia.

"We are making efforts to extradite Somali citizens who are serving sentences in Saudi Arabia so they can serve their terms in Somalia. We have submitted the agreement on the matter and are awaiting a response from the Saudi Ministry of Justice to finalize the agreement," he added.

The diplomatic push follows the execution of Somali national Mohamed Nur Hussein in February 2025. He was convicted of drug smuggling and executed by beheading, in accordance with Saudi Arabia's capital punishment laws. However, his family accused Saudi authorities of denying him a fair trial, stating that he lacked due process, had limited access to legal representation, and was deprived of the opportunity to appeal his sentence.

Following Hussein's execution, families of other Somali prisoners on death row staged protests in Mogadishu, urging the Somali government to intervene on behalf of their relatives.

The government's current negotiations with Saudi authorities seek to prevent further executions and provide a legal framework for the transfer of Somali prisoners back to their home country.

Source: hiiraan.com, Staff, March 15, 2025

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde

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