Amnesty International moves to protect 4 Somalis condemned to be amputated

Al-Shabab has introduced bloody laws in areas under its control. Amnesty International (AI) has moved to protect four Somalians who are to be amputated for stealing following their condemnation by Islamist rebels al-Shabab.

AI claims that the four men had not been given a fair trial. "We are appealing to al-Shabab not to carry out these cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments," said Tawanda Hondora, spokesperson for the human rights group.

According to the human rights group, the sentences were ordered by al-Shabab court with no due process or guarantees of fairness. The bloody punishments introduced by the hard-line Islamist have shocked many Somalis, who traditionally practice a more tolerant form of Islam.

The four men were chained around their ankles and surrounded by armed al-Shabab militants. The accused men will each have a hand and a leg cut off after being convicted by a Sharia court in the capital, Mogadishu.

"The men admitted the charges brought against them and were sentenced accordingly. Each one of them will have his right hand and left leg amputated publicly," said Judge Sheikh Abdallah al-Haq of al-Shabab.

The al-Shabab group linked with al-Qaeda, has carried out amputations, floggings and executions for such crimes as stealing in some parts of Somalia.

The extreme group is at the verge of taking over Somalia and such is the form of justice they intend to make law.

Helpless Somalia President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has declared a state of emergency and has appealed to Somalia’s neighbors and the international community to send troops to help fight the al-Shabab rebels.

Al-Shabab and its allies control much of southern Somalia and are battling the UN-backed government for total control of the country. Some observers say it is only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, the Islamic court in Somalia that sentenced four men to have a hand and a leg cut off postponed the punishment Tuesday, saying the sweltering weather could cause them to bleed to death. AP reports. The court sentenced the men Monday in the capital, Mogadishu, after accusing them of stealing mobile phones and guns.

The court is run by al-Shabab, a powerful insurgent group that is trying to topple the U.N.-backed government and install a strict form of Islam. "The sentence will be carried out later," an al-Shabab official said, requesting anonymity because he was not allowed to speak publicly. "It was postponed because of the hot weather and fears that the victims will bleed to death." No date was set for the punishments to be carried out.

Source:Ecoterra, June 23, 2009

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