Mogadishu: Five headless bodies have been
found in a rebel-held area of Somalia`s capital, and residents
said on Wednesday they suspect the Islamist militant group al-Shabab
killed the men because they had helped construct the
parliament building.
No group has claimed responsibility for the killings, but
al-Shabab has beheaded individuals in the past that it accused
of spying for the US and UN-backed Somali government.
Hardline militants in Somalia give out harsh punishments
such as stonings and amputations to people it accuses of
crimes. Militants have also banned movies and modern music,
saying that those types of entertainment are un-Islamic.
Islamic insurgents control much of Mogadishu and have
been trying to topple the fragile government for three years.
Somalia has not had an effective government for 18 years.
Relatives and friends say the men have been missing for
the last five days.
"We suspect they were executed by al-Shabab militants
because they had in the past received phone threats accusing
them of helping to construct the former Somali parliament
premise," said a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity
because of fears for his safety.
The al-Qaida-linked militants consider any Somali who
works for the fragile government or with the African Union as
apostates.
PTI
