MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somali court sentenced 4 government officials to years in prison over corruption charges, several months after they were detained in an extensive government crackdown.
The officials at the Somali Ministry of Health were arrested earlier this year on charges involving corruption, after funds allocated for ministerial projects were diverted.
Among the sentenced is the Director General of the Ministry of Health who was detained in March alongside Ministerial Admin and Finance director.
These are the sentences handed down by Banadir regional court:
- Admin and Finance Director was sentenced 18 years in prison and a fine of $2,366
- Director General of the Ministry was given a 9 year prison and a fine of $2,366
- Malaria Project Director is to serve 3 years behind bars and a fine of $1,183
- Accounting Director of the Ministry was given a 12 year jail sentence and a fine of $2,366
5 other officials and employees at the Somali Ministry of Health were released after being acquitted of corruption, the court said on Monday.
These are the first sentences handed down by the court over corruption charges against government officials who pleaded guilty to theft of public funds.
The arrest of these officials drew widespread attention in the capital Mogadishu as reports of theft of equipment and funds allocated to projects unfolded earlier this year.
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