A court in Garowe, Puntland has sentenced two students to six months in prison each after they admitted to stepping on the Puntland state flag and posting a video of the act on TikTok.
The defendants were identified as Abdirahman Ahmed Hamud, 19, and Mohamed Yusuf Ali, 17, both residents of Garowe. They appeared before the regional court this week to face charges related to the incident that drew wide criticism online last month after the clip circulated on social media.
According to the ruling, the two told the court that the act had not been planned. They admitted to stepping on the flag and to recording and sharing the video. Prosecutors told the court that the conduct amounted to an offence against national symbols under Article 219 of the Somali Penal Code. The state asked the court to sentence each defendant to one year in prison, arguing that disrespect of state symbols undermines public order and national unity.
During the hearing, the defendants appealed for leniency. They told the judge they were students and described the incident as a mistake. One of them asked the court to consider allowing him to continue with his education. They also expressed regret and asked that the prison terms be replaced with financial penalties.
The court said it weighed the admissions made by the defendants, the evidence presented by the prosecution, and photographic and video material showing them stepping on the flag and sharing the footage on social media. Based on that, the court convicted both under Article 219, read together with Article 71 of the Somali Penal Code.
In its sentence, the court jailed each defendant for six months, which was less than the one year sought by prosecutors. The judge noted the defendants’ age, their guilty plea, and expressions of remorse, but emphasized that the law protects state symbols and that such acts cannot go unpunished.
The verdict has sparked mixed reactions in Garowe. Some residents and elders said the ruling sends a clear message that the flag, as a symbol of Puntland’s identity and governance, must be respected. Others, including legal observers and youth groups, said while the act was wrong, the focus should also be on civic education for young people to prevent similar incidents.
Puntland officials have in recent months cautioned against the misuse of state symbols on social media, warning that sharing content deemed disrespectful can lead to arrest and prosecution. Authorities said they will continue to enforce the law but also urged families, schools and community leaders to guide young people on responsible online behavior.