In the town of Bossaso, a military court in northern Somalia has handed down death sentences to six Moroccan nationals convicted of terrorism charges, according to prosecutors and court officials who spoke to VOA.
Among the nine suspects sentenced on Thursday, seven foreigners were included in the verdict.
Colonel Ali Ibrahim Osman, the deputy chairman of the court, revealed that the six Moroccans were found guilty of belonging to Islamic State militants and will face capital punishment.
An Ethiopian and a Somali received 10-year jail terms, while another Somali defendant was acquitted.
The foreign militants were accused of training with the Islamic State at their base in the Cal-Miskaat Mountains region of northeastern Somalia, aiming to support ISIS and carry out destructive acts.
During the court proceedings, the accused foreigners expressed remorse, claiming they were misled about training with the group and sought deportation to their home countries, emphasizing their voluntary surrender to security forces.
Osman noted that the court ensured fair trial procedures, including providing interpreters and legal representation for the defendants and communicating with their relatives.
However, the defendants have the option to appeal within 30 days, failing which the sentences will be executed.
The Moroccans admitted their affiliation with ISIS for two years before the court.
The identities of the convicted Moroccans are Mohamed Hassan, Ahmed Najwi, Khalid Latha, Mohamed Binu Mohamed Ahmed, Ridwan Abdulkadir Osmany, and Ahmed Hussein Ibrahim.