Somali court martial upholds death sentence against Baidoa twin attack plotters

A Somali military court upheld the death penalty for five people for their roles in the deadly suicide bombings in South West State capital, Baidoa that killed more than 40 people late February.

The hearing of their appeal took place  for one week during which the appellants sought to have their previous court verdict quashed.

The military court however rejected the appeal of the five against the March ruling and the judge, Liban Ali Yarow sentenced them to death by firing squad.

The court also sentenced to death a soldier who was found guilty of killing a civilian in Baidoa town

On the evening of 28th February, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a restaurant where people were watching a football match. The attack was followed by another one which occurred at a busy junction. The five were Saturday found guilty of the murder of the 40 victims of the bomb attack.

Somalia uses its military court to punish members of al-Shabaab militant group which wants to overthrow the government and its soldiers who commit heavy crimes.