Muslim extremists seize, torture convert from Islam

Bulo Marer, Somalia — Muslim militants still controlling part of the Lower Shebelle Region of Somalia have jailed and tortured a Christian for converting from Islam, sources said.

Al Shabaab rebels seized Hassan Gulled, 25, on March 23 in Bulo Marer near Qoryoley District, they said. Gulled, who had fled to Kenya in 2007 in search of safety and a better life, had left Kenya on Feb. 27 to visit family in Somalia, sources said.

As Gulled was only visiting family in Somalia, his wife remained in an undisclosed city in Kenya. Al Shabaab extremists in Kenya who knew of his Christian activities there apparently contacted members of the militant group in Somalia, who monitored his movement for three weeks before seizing him, sources said.

“Four masked, armed militia from Al Shabaab took Gulled into a Land Cruiser and then drove away as family watched him helplessly,” said one source.

Another source said it was confirmed that Gulled has been jailed in Bulo Marer. “The Al Shabaab have been torturing him to see whether he would deny his Christian faith,” the source said. “[At press time,] no information has surfaced concerning Gulled. There is a possibility that he could have been killed.”