Kenya to hand Al-Shabaab commander to Somalia, minister

Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab recruits walk down a street in the Deniile district of the Somali capital Mogadishu on March 5, 2012, following their graduation. FILE PHOTO | AFP 

In Summary

• Mr Hanafi was reportedly arrested in the Kenyan capital Nairobi this week after travelling there for medical treatment
• He allegedly terrorised media owners, editors and journalists, forcing them to tell lies and propagate Al-Shabaab propaganda

By AFP
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MOGADISHU,

A senior Al-Shabaab commander who was arrested in Kenya this week will be extradited to Mogadishu, Somalia's information minister said Saturday.

 

Hassan Hanafi Haji was arrested on Sunday in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate while seeking treatment for injuries he sustained in Somalia.

He doubles up as a Somali journalist and is wanted by Somalia's government for killing fellow journalists.

A series of journalists have been killed in recent years in Somalia, one of the most dangerous countries in the world to work as a reporter.

"As a result of surveillance by the Somali security apparatus, the Kenyan security forces captured Hassan Hanafi Haji, wanted for the killing of a number of Somali journalists and other citizens," Somalia's Minister of Information Mustafa Duhulow said in a statement.

(READ: Al-Shabaab commander arrested)

"It is also alleged that he was also deeply involved in Al-Shabaab's propaganda machine," Mr Duhulow added, claiming Hanafi was a "senior" member of the Islamist group.

Somalia has requested Kenya hand Mr Hanafi over to face trial, Duhulow said.

Kenyan police officials have declined to comment on the arrest of Mr Hanafi.

The Al-Shabaab continue to launch attacks in the heart of the capital Mogadishu, including recent brazen commando raids on the presidential palace and parliament, in a bid to topple the internationally-backed government.

"The military court is pursuing Hassan Hanafi in relation to complaints from the relatives of those he is alleged to have killed, including prominent journalists and other people," Mr Duhulow added.

"It is alleged that Hassan Hanafi terrorised media owners, editors and journalists, forcing them to tell lies and propagate Al-Shabaab propaganda."

The Al-Shabaab operate their own radio station and regularly release propaganda videos, and were previously active on Twitter before their accounts were shut down.