Mogadishu (SD) – Benadir Regional Court has today sentenced nine officials from the Somali Ministry of Health, who were found guilty of embezzling public funds.

The Benadir regional court sentenced Abdullahi Hashi Ali, the director general of the ministry of health, to nine years in prison and a fined him 59 million Somali shillings. It also banned him for life in holding a public office.

The court also sentenced the director of administration and finance of the Somali Ministry of Health to 18 years in prison and fined 59 million Somali shillings. He was also banned from public service work.

Mahdi Abshir Mohamed, head of accounting for the Somali Ministry of Health’s health awareness project, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined 59 million Somali shillings. This official is also barred him working in a public office.

Bashir Abdi Nur, accountant for the Malaria and HIV / AIDS project at the Somali Ministry of Health, was sentenced to three years in prison and 29 million Somali Shillings, and the exclusion of public service for 5 years.

Meanwhile, the Benadir regional court today acquitted and released five employees of the Ministry of Health.