The Shackled Justice: Sexual Torture in Mogadishu MBCC Prison (Another Victim Speaks Out)
Abdirizak Amaalaawe, a brave Somali policeman, found himself on the wrong side of justice in a world twisted by corruption and fear. In 2017, his life took a dark turn when he killed Al-Shabaab militants who had ambushed him-a moment of self-defense that any protector of peace would deem justifiable. But this act of courage became his undoing.
The terrorist group, wielding their deep pockets and ruthless influence, bribed Somalia’s fragile justice apparatus. Instead of being hailed as a hero, Abdirizak was branded a criminal, arrested, and condemned to a life behind bars. His detention marked the beginning of an unthinkable nightmare – six years of suffering that would break even the strongest of spirits.
The Hell Inside the Prison Walls
Detained in Mogadishu’s shadowy detention centres, Abdirizak was more than just a prisoner. He became a victim of systematic sexual torture-a weapon of humiliation and domination wielded by those meant to uphold justice. Among his tormentors was Xasan Shiine, a police inspector, and members of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
Day after day, night after night, he endured their heinous acts, his humanity stripped away with every assault. His cries for help fell on deaf ears within the prison walls, where silence and complicity ruled. Yet, in his darkest moments, Abdirizak found a way to share his story with the outside world.
The Smuggled Phone: A Voice for the Voiceless
Through a smuggled phone, Abdirizak courageously reached out to a journalist, risking everything to reveal his torment. In whispered calls, his voice quivered with pain and desperation. He recounted the horrors he endured-the beatings, the rapes, the hopelessness of being trapped in a system designed to protect the very people who violated him.
His words painted a haunting picture of life in detention, where the powerful preyed on the powerless and justice was a farce. “They stripped me of my dignity,” he confided, “but they will never take my truth.”
Transferred from to D to C but Not Freed
Recently, Abdirizak was transferred to the notorious Mogadishu Central Correctional Center (MBCC), located near Afgooye. The transfer did little to alleviate his suffering; instead, it served as a reminder of his unending plight. MBCC, known for its overcrowded cells and brutal conditions, became his new cage-a place where hope struggles to survive.
Yet, Abdirizak’s voice, once suppressed, now resonates beyond the prison gates. His story has reached the public, igniting outrage and sparking calls for accountability. The smuggled phone, once his lifeline, became a tool of resistance, exposing the corruption and cruelty festering within Somalia’s justice system.
The Fight for Justice
Abdirizak’s story is not just his own; it is the story of countless others silenced by fear and oppression. It shines a harsh light on the need for reform in Somalia’s judicial and law enforcement systems and underscores the importance of protecting those who dare to speak out.
As his tale spreads, advocates and human rights defenders rally for his release, demanding justice for the man who once stood against terror and now fights against an equally insidious enemy-corruption and impunity.
Abdirizak Amaalaawe’s resilience is a testament to the human spirit’s unyielding will to survive, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. His story is a call to action-a plea for a world where justice prevails and the voices of the oppressed are never silenced.
See the full interview of Abdirizak in the following link in Somali language; https://youtu.be/GPhNWTb0y7c?si=wzzZc2aoOejqslba
By HANAHR Advocacy Team