Last year Mogadishu's former police chief was arrested in Sweden.

In October last year Mogadishu's former police chief was arrested during a visit to Sweden. The murder of Martin Adler could have been an act of revenge.

Former police chief Abdi Qeybdiid was arrested in a hotel in Lund on the orders of the International Chamber of Prosecution in Gothenburg. The suspicion was: genocide.

Released

But Abdi Qeybdiid was released following a custody hearing in Gothenburg. The evidence, a 14-year-old video film, was not considered sufficient for filing charges.

A number of threats were expressed against Sweden and Swedish interests by Qeybdiid supporters in association with the arrest.

Rumours circulating

A spokesman for the Islamic Courts said on Friday [23 June] that it was likely supporters of Abdi Qeybdiid were behind the murder of journalist Martin Adler. The motive was said to have been the arrest in Sweden.

"Many rumours are circulating about why Martin Adler was murdered in Mogadishu," says Mohamed Amin, a Somalian journalist. One of them is that the murder was a pure act of revenge.

Worked with Danes

There are also rumours that the murder is linked to the controversial Danish Muhammad cartoons. Martin Adler was working with a Danish couple when he was shot dead. "We are investigating the entire course of events and have appointed a commission which is to gather all available information," says Sharif Shaykh Ahmed, head of the Islamic Court. "When the result is ready we will arrest the perpetrator with firm determination."

Three arrested yesterday

Yesterday afternoon three people were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the murder. It is unclear on what grounds they were arrested.

Source: Aftonbladet website, Stockholm, in Swedish 25 Jun 06

BBC Mon EU1 EuroPol MD1 Media mmcn

top