20-year old Mayow Ali Abdi, was administered 100 lashes in front of a large crowd. The punishment executed on Monday was approved by an Al Shabab run local court in the area.

The militia said the man confessed to the allegations, however, they did not produce any evidence or witnesses to justify the punishement. Mayow was in jail of Hudur nearly a month waiting this punishment.

This type of punishment is common in areas under the control of Al Shabab militias in Southern Somalia. The militia describe it as an implementation act of the Islamic law. Under the Al Shabab’s ultra-strict interpretation of the Islamic Sharia law, married adulterers are stoned to death while bachelors are given lashes, thieves have their limbs chopped off and murderers executed publicly. Many people have gone missing or dead after they were forcefully driven out of their homes by Al Shabab and never to found again.

By Hawo Abdulle