Wednesday September 18, 2024
Sayid Ali Moalim Daoud sits in court during his hearing on September 18, 2024, as the Somali Supreme Court upholds his death sentence for the murder of his pregnant wife, Luul Sheikh Abdiaziz. CREDIT/ SNTV
Mogadishu HOL) — The Supreme Court of Somalia has upheld the death sentence of Sayid Ali Moalim Daoud for the murder of his pregnant wife, Luul Sheikh Abdiaziz, rejecting his appeal and affirming the lower courts' rulings. Chief Justice Bashe Ahmed Yusuf announced the verdict, stating that Daoud had been found guilty of deliberately murdering his wife. The final decision concludes a nine-month legal process that has sparked national outrage and underscored the urgent need to address domestic violence in Somalia.
Daoud was accused of setting his wife on fire in their Mogadishu home in late January 2024 after a domestic dispute. Luul, a respected employee at Aden Abdulle International Airport and mother of six, succumbed to her injuries at Erdogan Hospital. During the trial, Daoud admitted to starting the fire but claimed it was not his intent to kill her. Prosecutors countered with evidence, including the charred remains of Abdiaziz's phone and testimonies from witnesses, including their children, arguing that Daoud's actions were deliberate.
The Banadir Regional Court initially sentenced Daoud to death on March 6. Despite the defence's argument that the fire was accidental, the Banadir Court of Appeal upheld the death sentence after multiple hearings. The Supreme Court's judgment, delivered by Chief Justice Yusuf, reaffirmed the lower courts' findings, calling for the immediate execution of the sentence.
The family of Luul Sheikh Abdiaziz welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, expressing relief after months of seeking justice. They had refused to bury Luul until a verdict was reached and had declined offers of "blood money" for Daoud's release. Luul's family demanded that Daoud's execution be carried out immediately.