GALKAYO, Somalia — Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland executed Hodan Mahmoud Dirie by firing squad Tuesday after she was convicted of killing 14-year-old Sabirin Abdulle Saylaan, officials said.
The Mudug regional court said the sentence was carried out in accordance with Islamic law. The execution followed a trial in which authorities presented evidence, including video footage of the killing.
The family of the victim had called for the death penalty. The case drew widespread attention and outrage in Somalia because of its circumstances, officials said.
Puntland officials said they hope the case serves as a warning against violent crimes and reinforces public confidence in the legal system.
Somalia’s use of capital punishment has drawn criticism from human rights groups. Executions are carried out mainly against Al-Shabaab militants for acts of terrorism, while criminal cases are rare.