By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 25 June 2026 – The Banadir Regional Court sentenced Sadiyo Macallin Hassan, known as Sadiyo Bajaaj, to three years Thursday for incitement. Her defence lawyer said they would appeal.
Lawyer Mohamed Sheikh Osman, who represented Bajaaj against charges brought by the Office of the Attorney General, said the court acquitted her of one charge under Article 320 of Somalia’s penal code, which he described as incitement to commit a crime.
Osman said the court instead convicted her under Article 269, paragraph two, and imposed a three-year prison term. The provision deals with incitement against political leaders, administrative or judicial officials through communication such as writing, phone, telegram or images.
The lawyer said the defence believed the evidence presented by prosecutors was insufficient to support a conviction under that article.
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He said the sentence was unexpected because, according to the defence, the court had imposed what he described as the maximum penalty available under the article.
Osman said the defence was not satisfied with the ruling and would file an appeal in the coming days.
The Banadir Regional Court has not yet issued a detailed public statement explaining the legal grounds for the sentence.