UK concerned over Somali rape victim

British FCO Minister Mark Simmonds expressed his concern over the ongoing legal battle facing a woman who had been tried for insulting the Somali government in February after she accused security forces of raping her. The case has been met with widespread international appeal and many have called on the Somali government to ensure that those responsible for the crime are brought to justice. Simmonds said: “We welcome the ruling by Somalia’s Appeal Court exonerating a woman convicted in February of insulting the Government, after she alleged she had been raped by Government security forces. “We remain concerned about the legal basis on which the conviction of the journalist who investigated her case was upheld. It is critical that journalists are able to carry out their work free from fear of arrest or detention, and that freedom of expression is protected. The UK will continue to follow this case closely.” Bikyanews