BY ABDI GULED

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A former journalist accused of belonging to al-Shabab was executed in the Somali capital for the killings of five Somali journalists.

Hassan Hanafi Haji, who was extradited from Kenya last year on the request of the Somali government, was executed by firing squad at a police academy in Mogadishu.

Firing squad remains the only execution method in Somalia.

Haji was one of the few suspects prosecuted by the Somali government following years of criticism by rights groups who urged Somali authorities to do more to establish the rule of law and end the killings of journalists.

The killings of media workers often happened in the government-controlled areas that journalists generally consider safe.

Somalia is one of the most dangerous places for media workers. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 18 Somali journalists were killed last year.

It’s not entirely clear who has been carrying out the killings of journalists. Al-Shabab rebels, warlords, criminals, and even government agents all could have reasons to see journalists killed in Somalia.

Source: AP