Somalia

Mogadishu court jails 70-year-old man for financing Al-Shabaab

Ali Hussein Isaac at the Banadir Regional Court in Mogadishu, Somalia, on May 17, 2024, when he was sentenced to seven years in prion for money laundering and financing Al-Shabaab. (Photo: Handout)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Saturday, May 18, 2024

Ali Hussein Isaac was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined $3,000 for money laundering and financing the militant group.

The Banadir Regional Court in Mogadishu, Somalia, has sentenced a 70-year-old man to seven years in prison and fined him $3,000 for money laundering and financing the militant group Al-Shabaab.

The court ruled on Friday that Ali Hussein Isaac was guilty of transferring $500,000 from his account to support Al-Shabaab's operations.

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Ali was handed a split sentence, with four years for the terror financing charge and three for money laundering.

"The court has taken a firm position in addressing the financial networks that enable the activities of Al-Shabab," Judge Saleh Ali Mohamud noted in his ruling. "This sentence serves as a clear message that such crimes will not be tolerated."

Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, has carried out numerous attacks in Somalia and neighbouring countries like Kenya, using funds obtained in various ways, including extortion, kidnapping, and donations.

Somalia has continually intensified its crackdown on the financial infrastructure supporting the group's activities, in efforts for peace and stability both locally and regionally.

In recent years, Somali authorities have increased their focus on disrupting the financial networks that enable Al-Shabaab, taking steps such as closely monitoring bank transactions and cooperating with international financial institutions to identify suspicious activities.

The government and its agencies have also shut down hundreds of bank accounts and mobile phone numbers linked to Al-Shabaab, as part of a broader strategy to weaken its capabilities.

Somalia has also engaged in advanced military operations and community outreach programmes to rebuild infrastructure and provide essential services to communities affected by the conflict.

The government's actions have received support from international partners, including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and various United Nations agencies. These organisations assist in areas such as security, governance, and development.

Ali's sentencing is expected to have a deterrent effect on others who may consider providing financial support to Al-Shabaab.