Somalia executes al-Shabaab member for killing journalist

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A member of the Islamist al-Shabaab group was executed by firing squad Saturday for killing a Somali journalist last year, media reports said.

Adan Sheik Abdi was tied to a pole and blindfolded when he was executed at the Mogadishu Police Academy, Garowe Online reported.

The execution was the first of an al-Shabaab member by the Somali federal government. The group, which has ties to al-Qaida, is battling for control of the country.

Hassan Yusuf Absuge, who worked for Radio Maanta in Mogadishu, was killed in the capital in September. A spokesman for the military court said three witnesses linked Abdi to the killing.