Judge awards $21M in Somali torture suit
McLEAN, Va. — A U.S. judge on Tuesday awarded $21 million to seven people who sued a former prime minister of Somalia now living in Virginia, claiming he tortured and killed his own people more than two decades ago. The judgment against Mohamed Ali Samantar, 76, of Fairfax comes after an eight-year legal battle that […]
Somali ex-official seeks immunity from torture lawsuits
RICHMOND, Va. — A lawyer for the former prime minister of Somalia told a federal appeals court Wednesday that a judge improperly acquiesced to the State Department’s view that his client can be sued over alleged war crimes. Mohamed Ali Samantar is appealing U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema’s ruling that he is not entitled to […]
Md. man accused in terrorism case pleads not guilty
GREENBELT — A former U.S. Army soldier accused of trying to provide support to a terrorist organization in Somalia after he left the military has pleaded not guilty. Maryland resident Craig Baxam appeared in federal court in Greenbelt on Friday. He is accused of leaving the United States for Somalia in December with the intention […]
Ex-soldier from Laurel indicted on terror charge
GREENBELT — A former Army soldier has been indicted in Maryland on charges that he tried to join a terrorist organization in Somalia. A federal grand jury indictment returned Wednesday charges Craig Benedict Baxam with attempting to provide material support to al-Shabab. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years if convicted. The 24-year-old Baxam, […]
Ex-soldier ordered held in terrorism-related case
GREENBELT — A former U.S. Army soldier accused of trying to provide support to a terrorist organization in Somalia has been ordered held pending his trial. That was the ruling Wednesday from U.S. Magistrate Judge William Connolly, who agreed with prosecutors that Craig Baxam was a flight risk if allowed to go free. The judge […]
Piracy includes failed attempts, prosecutors tell 4th Circuit
NORFOLK, Va. — The convictions of five Somali pirates sentenced to life in prison should be upheld because the definition of piracy under international law includes failed attempts, according to a court filing by federal prosecutors. The Somali men were sentenced to life in prison in March for attacking the USS Nicholas off the coast […]