“Haji” Sought After Break-out Drama [Archives:2000/36/Front Page]

The Somali citizen, Muhammed Omer Haji, indicted of apostasy, escaped prison last week and fled to New Zealand, security sources in Aden Province said.
The sources considered as more probable that Haji, who converted from Islam to Christianity, received local and foreign help to escape the conviction expected to be issued against him by the court in Tawahi district of Aden.
Information maintained that Haji appeared in New Zealand last Wednesday noon where he arrived via a European state.
It is understood that Haji had entered Yemen and settled in Aden following the civil war in Somalia in the early 90s. He was employed at a church in Tawahi area where he then decided to embrace Christianity. This stirred clamor in Aden City following the campaigns launched by mosque preachers demanding Haji’s execution. The news of Haji’s apostasy went in line with news of missionary activities through western humane organizations.
Haji had earlier denied having changed his name into “George” and claimed to continue to be a Muslim; but Somali refugees close to him refuted his allegations. Haji’s trial had begun three months ago.
The sources ascribed his continued disappearance from the court to interference from higher authorities which feared the negative result: Haji’s execution. The sources referred to the appeals on Haji’s release the Government received from humanitarian organizations and western churches whereas the UN High Commissioner for Refugees had delegated a liaison officer to follow-up Haji’s trial proceedings. The sources claimed that Haji’s getaway had been planned weeks ago through obstructing court proceedings on several occasions by precluding his appearance before the court. Sources have further said that the court has held the prosecution responsible for being derelict. It had also signaled to return the suit file to prosecution. The same sources anticipate that Haji’s escape operation will cause a crisis between the Government, the political parties and national organizations. Parties and national organizations accuse the government of favoring the west, craving after grants even if these would come at the expense of the Yemeni society’s norms.

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