Somalia sentences journalist's killers to death

A military court in Somalia has sentenced two Islamist Shebab gunmen to death for killing a journalist, the information minister said Saturday.

"Both men freely confessed to the killings, therefore, after the due process of the law, the military court sentenced them to death," Minister of Information Mustafa Duhulow told reporters.

The extremists confessed to killing journalist Mohamed Mohamud Timacade, a reporter with London-based Somali-language Universal TV, in October 2013, the minister said, adding the sentence was handed out on Monday.

Timacade was shot several times in the neck, chest and shoulder when the attackers sprayed his car with bullets. The gunmen also killed a security guard.

Somalia is one of most dangerous countries for reporters.

It was not clear if the men had yet been executed by firing squad, but in Somalia, death sentences are often carried out shortly after they are issued.

Attacks on journalists are often blamed on Islamist Shebab fighters battling the internationally backed government, but some are also believed to be linked to a settling of scores within the multiple factions in power.

Journalists also face threats from the government itself.

Three senior Somali journalists from Radio Shabelle and its sister station Sky FM are currently awaiting trial for broadcasts allegedly inciting violence.

The men were arrested earlier this month after they were reportedly critical of a military operation to disarm a militia leader in the capital Mogadishu that escalated into heavy gun battles.