A regional court in Somalia’s semiautonomous region of Puntland has sentenced an alcohol trader to five years in prison.
The Nugal Regional Court found Habibo Ali Osman guilty of being in possession of alcohol at her residence.
In addition to the 5-year sentencing, she was also fined $2,000.
The prosecution told the court that Habibo had been arrested four times previously, thus making her a repeat offender. She was released each time.
According to the prosecution, the 50-year old woman is a threat to the moral fabric of the society in Puntland.
On her part, Habibo claimed the charges, which she denied, had been fabricated. Nevertheless, she admitted to having limitedly taken part in the smuggling of alcohol into the region.
The presiding judge, Sheikh Abdinur Jama Hussein, told her that she should prepare and file her appeal if she was unsatisfied with the sentencing and fine.
In Somalia, alcohol is strictly forbidden and prohibited because of the strong Islamic culture and belief in the country.