A former Somali minister and outspoken government critic was on Monday arrested by security forces for treason, the security ministry said on Monday.
A spokesman for Internal Security Ministry Abdiasis Ali said that Abdirahman Abdishakur – a candidate in February’s presidential election won by Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed – was arrested on a decree from the Ministry of Internal Security and the office of the attorney general.
“The former minister was legally arrested by decree from the attorney general and internal security minister. He was accused of treason. His guards fought the security forces,” Reuters quotes Abdiasis to have said.
There are reports that the clashes between security forces and Abdishakur’s bodyguards led to some deaths, but Abdiasis declined to give further information on this.
Attorney general Ahmed Ali Dahir described Abdishakur’s house as a hub for the opposition and a gathering point for people “who want to collapse the government.”
“We also warn those who meet at hotels,” he added.
Many Somali officials including lawmakers live in fortified hotels for the security they offer.
