The father of Mohammed Abdi has today welcomed the sentencing of three men found guilty of killing his son.
Last month, Mohamud Mohamud, Cadil Hussein and Hussein Mohamed Ali pled guilty to murdering Mr Abdi in the Willowbrae area of Edinburgh last May.
The 25-year-old was shot dead during a confrontation with a number of other men at 1am on Sunday 26th May 2013 at Willowbrae Road in the Duddingston area of the capital.
Today, at the High Court in Glasgow, the trio were handed life sentences totalling 75 years. Mohamud Mohamud, Cadil Hussein and Hussein Mohamed Ali were all given 25-year prison terms.
Omar Abdi, the victim’s father, said: “Nothing will bring my son back, but I am relieved to know that the persons who committed this terrible crime will no longer be able to hurt anyone again and I hope no other family will suffer as we have.
“I would like to thank wholeheartedly the various communities across Edinburgh who were affected by this tragic death and who went on to provide vital support to the police investigation.
“I was heartened when I saw the number of cards and flowers that were laid where my son died and provided me with comfort that he had been a friend to a number of people who shared in my grief.
“I have been supported throughout the past year while the investigation has been ongoing and I would like to thank Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, who along with others have brought these individuals to justice.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Gary Flannigan, of the Specialist Crime Division, said the teamwork of a number of Police Scotland officers combined with contributions from members of the public was key to bringing about the convictions.
He explained: “This crime took place just a month into the formation of Police Scotland and the subsequent investigation saw specialised officers teaming up right across the country and, indeed, working with the authorities from other continents.
“Detectives were able to combine CCTV and telecoms information from throughout the United Kingdom, while scene examiners and scientists did fantastic work deconstructing the vehicles involved in the shooting and recovering vital evidence.
“The public, too, played a crucial part in the case that led to today’s sentencing. Local residents who initially stopped to help at what they thought was a road traffic accident were not deterred even when the full nature of the incident unfolded and we are grateful for their invaluable assistance.
“With all these elements in place, Police Scotland was able to provide the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service with compelling evidence that ultimately led to three guilty pleas and to this morning’s sentencing.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
