Sadia Moalim Ali, a Somali woman, has been released from prison after her conviction for insulting government institutions was overturned. Ms Ali was sentenced to three years in prison on 25 June after speaking on social media about issues in Somalia, including forced evictions, high fuel prices, and nepotism.
Ms Ali stated that she was abducted by two police officers and beaten at a police station before being taken to Mogadishu Central prison. She reported being slapped and having her head hit against a wall, with no access to a lawyer or formal charges.
While in prison, Ms Ali spoke to a local radio station. Following this, she reported being taken to a room where the prison commander allegedly stripped and beat her. After speaking to the Guardian, she claimed she was threatened with rape and subsequently sexually assaulted by three men, with the incident reportedly recorded on a mobile phone.
Her lawyer filed an appeal, and on 12 August, the Banadir court of appeal overturned her conviction and sentence, leading to her release. Ms Ali has since left the country due to ongoing threats and pressure to stop speaking out.