Human rights group: Former Somali colonel living in Ohio can’t claim immunity in torture suit

Claim: Former Somali colonel not immune from suit

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A court filing argues that a former Somalia military colonel who lives in Ohio can’t claim immunity from allegations he ordered the torture of a human rights advocate.

The Tuesday filing by attorneys for Abukar Hassan Ahmed (ah-BUK’-ar HASS’-ahn AK’-med) says a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling shut the door on the colonel’s immunity claims.

The ruling in June involves a former Somali prime minister now living in Virginia and says diplomatic immunity does not automatically extend to individuals.

The former colonel in Ohio, Abdi Aden Magan (AB’-dee AH’-den mah-gen) of Columbus, argues he’s immune from lawsuits because he acted in his official capacity on behalf of the Somali government.

Magan is the former chief of the National Security Service of Somalia. Ahmed is suing him in federal court in Columbus.