MOGADISHU—Somalia’s Puntland court has sentenced 5 men to death for the gang-rape of 12-year-old girl that sparked angry protests.
Asha Ilyas, a 12-years old girl was found and dumped near her home in north of Galkacyo town, after she was abducted, raped and murdered.
The sentence was one of the first ordered since Puntland’s new President took office last month.
Crowds chanted “Death to rapists!” after the brutal attack on the child in the central town of Galkacyo.
Sexual violence has been rife in Somalia for the last couple months.
The President of Puntland, Abdullahi Said Deni says such outrageous action against children is a gross violation.
Ilyas’s body was laid to rest last week in the town, amid ongoing rally in Galkayo.
It is latest in a series of sexual attacks on women and young girls to shock Somalia.
