I was tortured because I’m a Somali woman who dared to speak out
I was sentenced to three years in jail for insulting government institutions. Now I am free, I will carry on fighting for the women I met in prison
TL;DR
- The author, a Somali woman, faced severe repercussions for speaking out on social media about corruption, forced evictions, and nepotism in Somalia.
- She was abducted by police, physically assaulted, and imprisoned without legal representation or formal charges.
- Conditions in Mogadishu Central prison were deplorable, with overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and inadequate food.
- The author endured torture, including being stripped and beaten, and was sexually assaulted, all while under CCTV surveillance.
- Despite being convicted of insulting government institutions and sentenced to three years, her conviction was overturned on appeal, and she was released.
- She now seeks mental health support, is writing a book, and advocates for the rights of women she encountered in prison.