Terror-Loving, Ex-Somali PM sued in Virginia, USA

Mohamed Ali Samantar

Finally General Samantar will have to answer for his contribution to the terror regime of military dictator Siyaad Barre who ruled Somalia from 1969 to 1991. Samantar was the Defense Minister from 1980 to 1986 and Prime Minister from February 1, 1987 to September 3, 1990.  Siyaad Barre's regime is well known for its senseless murders and cruelty.

Samantar is a "prominent" member of the Somali Community in the Diaspora living in Virginia, USA. In a civil law suit seeking financial damages for commanding his troops to detain, torture and kill Somali citizens of the Isaaq clan, Samantar will now have answer to the charges against him.

The original lawsuit in 2004, filed by Somalis living in the US under the 1991's Torture Victim Protection Act, was unsuccessful. A federal judge ruled that Samantar was entitled to diplomatic immunity, however, last year the US Supreme Court reinstated the case and US District Judge Leonie Brinkema has denied Samantar's request (via his lawyer) to dismiss the case.

Samantar, in his arrogance, must have thought that after more than 20 years no one can bring a case against him, let alone common men and women he once terrorized and considered scum.  He probably did not realize that courts in the US can hold him accountable for his atrocities under international law. That is the purpose of international laws - they are border-less.

You will reap what you have sown, Samantar! 60+ years after the holocaust, Nazi murderers are still being indicted for their crimes against humanity - what makes you think you can get away with your nazi-like atrocities against your own people?