Norwegian authorities on secret visit to a Norwegian sentenced to death (54) in Somaliland – NRK Norway – Summary of news from different parts of the country

A Norwegian delegation visited Saad Jidre Hayd, 54, in Hargeisa. The Norwegian has been in the pirate prison since April, sentenced to death for premeditated murder. He himself denies criminal guilt.

The trip was kept secret for security reasons. Now the Foreign Ministry is counting the days in Somaliland for the first time.

– I can confirm that the embassy in Nairobi visited the Norwegian citizen in prison this weekend, says communications manager Trude Måseide.

– There were two representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide consular assistance to the Norwegian who is imprisoned and to have meetings.

– Who were they talking to down there?

– They met with the president, the judge of the Supreme Court and of course the most important thing; the Norwegian citizen who is in prison.

There were employees from the embassy in Nairobi, which is the closest Norwegian foreign service mission, and representatives from Oslo in Hargeisa.

– We have been concerned that we can get the job done in an area where it is a bit demanding to work. Therefore, we were concerned that information about the meeting would not come out in advance.

– Does it have something to do with the security situation in Somaliland?

– Yes, and a global assessment of the situation.

– They told me they will come here

NRK has learned that a Norwegian delegation will visit the Norwegian sentenced to death. On November 23, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the visit plans of a Norwegian delegation to the NRK.

“They have told me that they will come here and I will facilitate their visit here in Somaliland,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Liban Yusuf.

He said there were talks between the embassy in Kenya and the president of Somaliland. Norway expressed a wish to meet the father of the Oslo family, who is in the capital’s prison partially financed by Norway.

– Norway and Somaliland have a long and good relationship. Norway has contributed to the development of Somaliland and they happen to be here visiting to nurture the relationship between the parties.

– This time it will be natural to talk about the Norwegian in prison, Yusuf told NRK.

Norway put pressure on the Somaliland authorities

In mid-November, Saad Jidre Hayd, 54, was sentenced to death for poisoning in Somaliland. The man denies his criminal guilt and believes he acted in self-defense.

The shooting was scheduled for Saturday, November 21, but was postponed after the Norwegian’s lawyer spoke with the foreign minister of the self-proclaimed republic.

Through the embassy in Nairobi, the Norwegian authorities have provided consular assistance to the Norwegian, but after the death sentence became clear, they have put further pressure on the authorities of the self-proclaimed republic. Among other things, through direct talks with the president of Somaliland and calling the representative of the separatist republic in Norway for talks.

– We clearly stated two things: one was that the death penalty should not be served and the other was that the death penalty should have access to ordinary judicial procedures, Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide told NRK at that time. moment.

– Are you still afraid of being executed?

– We are always concerned that Norwegians will be sentenced to death. So it is often a confusing and very difficult situation, and I understand very well that this situation is difficult for both the family and the Norwegian, added the foreign minister.