Swiss aid worker killed in Somalia
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of a 70-year-old Swiss aid worker in the Somali port of Marka.
Verena Karrer was shot dead by two gunmen, who burst into her home on Friday evening and opened fire.
The Swiss national worked for the New Way of Cooperation, running a school and a clinic for the small Italian aid organisation.
According to local authorities, one of the arrested suspects is a teacher, who was recently dismissed from Karrer’s school.
Ali Wawarsame, a neighbour in the town where Karrer had lived since 1993 said: “Two gunmen attacked her house, but she had no guard. She was hit by 14 bullets.”
Demonstrations
The Somalia representative for New Way of Cooperation, Starlin Arush, who is currently visiting Kenya, said people in Marka had demonstrated against Karrer’s murder. “She was well loved. People are angry,” she said.
As far as possible motives are concerned, Arush said Karrer had recently dismissed the teacher and local authorities were investigating whether this could have been a motive for her killing.
Local officials also speculated Karrer may have been killed by warlords opposed to the transitional government in Somalia, which controls the town.
The Swiss embassy in Nairobi confirmed that Karrer’s body would be flown to Kenya for cremation at the weekend and her ashes handed over to her family in Switzerland.
swissinfo with agencies
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