A court in Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland has carried out a rare execution of a woman convicted of murdering her 14-year-old domestic helper.
Hodan Mohamud Diiriye, 34, was put to death by firing squad on the morning of February 3, 2026, in the city of Galkayo. She was found guilty of beating to death Saabirin Saylaan, a teenage orphan who had been working in her home. The killing in November had sparked public protests and calls for stronger child protection laws.
The execution was carried out under the Islamic legal principle of qisas, which allows a victim’s family to demand retribution rather than accept compensation. Officials confirmed that members of both families were present. This marks the first time in over a decade that a woman has been executed in Puntland under such a sentence.
Saabirin, orphaned as an infant, had been placed with Diiriye’s family last year. Police investigation revealed she endured months of physical abuse, supported by video and audio evidence recovered from Diiriye’s phone. In one recording, Diiriye was heard saying, “I’m enjoying your pain.” A post-mortem examination showed multiple injuries and stab wounds.
The case has intensified calls from activists and community leaders for better safeguards for children and domestic workers in Somalia, where abuse often remains unreported.
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