MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A Somali military tribunal has opened the trial of a longtime Al-Shabaab official accused of holding key roles in the extremist group for more than a decade.
Idris Mohamed Sheikh, known as Abu Abbas, is charged with serving Al-Shabaab in multiple capacities since joining the group in 2009. Prosecutors say he rose through the ranks to become commissioner of the towns of Bardale, Dinsor and Baidoa, and later served on the group’s Shura council while overseeing Zakat collection.
Officials allege he worked closely with current Al-Shabaab emir Ahmed Diriye, also known as Abu Ubaidah, who at the time governed the Bay and Bakool regions.
Abu Abbas later became the group’s Waalli, or governor, of the Middle Shabelle region – a post he held until late 2022, when Somali government forces and local militias retook most of the area during a sweeping offensive. He fled north as Al-Shabaab positions collapsed but was arrested in August 2024 while attempting to re-enter the Bay region, according to security officials.
In court, Abu Abbas did not deny being an Al-Shabaab member or serving as a regional governor. However, he argued he had not carried out any work for the group in the past three years. His lawyers requested leniency and asked the tribunal to send him to a government-run rehabilitation program instead of imposing a harsh sentence.
Prosecutors dismissed that argument, insisting his leadership role and long service to the group warrant the death penalty under Somali military law.
The tribunal, which handles terrorism-related cases, is expected to continue hearing evidence in the coming days.
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