Somali court sentences 43 Al Shabaab militants to death

New recruits belonging to the al Shabaab militant group marching during a passing out parade at a military training base in Afgoye.

Mogadishu: A court in northern Somalia town of Garowe has sentenced 43 Al Shabaab militants to death.

Prosecutor of the court, Abdullahi Hersi Elmi, said the militants who were arrested during the heavy clashes in Puntland early this year have been in prison for the past three months.

"The court carried out the death penalty to 43 Al Shabaab militants in Garowe town today, 54 other Al Shabaab militants remain in prison because they are young. These militants were arrested during the fighting in Nugaal and Mudug regions in March and April," Elmi said.

Elmi said the Puntland State forces arrested 97 Al Shabaab militants.