Hiiraan Online
Saturday December 30, 2017
An undated file photo of Sen. Abdi Qaybdiid
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali security forces on Saturday raided the home of a sitting Senator in Mogadishu barely two weeks after they raided the residential house of a vocal government critic.
Senator Abdi Hassan Awale Qaybdiid says government forces "unlawfully entered" his residence just after 1:00 PM (local time) this afternoon following a raid.
Abdi Qaybdiid, who was not at home during the raid, told media that the soldiers rammed through his front door before armed guards forced their way inside and conducted an illegal search.
"My house was attacked by government soldiers, they rammed the front door with a vehicle, then armed guards, disarmed the guards inside. I was at work when this happened."
He went on to say that the soldiers ransacked every room during the course of the search, damaging property and confiscating his family cell phones.
"They entered the house and searched and ransacked every room, breaking every door. They emptied all the contents of our wardrobes. They also confiscated my wife and daughters cell phone. My wife was in the washroom (when they began the raid) and they broke the door and entered with her still occupying it. "
Witnesses say the security forces entered the house of Abdi Qaybdiid without resistance from the senator's bodyguards.
Minister of Information, Abdirahman O. Osman commented on the raid through twitter saying that "an investigation is launched as to the reason of the incident at the house of Senator Abdi Qeybdiid. Further details will be provided soon."
In response to the incident, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo ordered the commander of the Somali National Army to investigate the "illegal act" adding that those responsible will be held to account.
On Oct 17th, Somali security forces arrested a former minister, Abdirahman Abdishakur after a deadly midnight raid on his residential house in Mogadishu. Security forces engaged his guards in a firefight, ultimately killing five of Abdishakur's guards.
The raid and arrest of the politician drew condemnation from the lawmaker, state leaders and elders in the Horn of Africa nation, leading the government to release him shortly after.
Upon hearing news of the raid on Abdi Qaybdiid's residence, Abdishakur took to Facebook to say "“It is another attack on democracy. It is a clear indication for violating the constitution. If things are not brought under control, the country is on the edge for a civil war".