HARGEISA, Somaliland – Authorities are pursuing an international manhunt for two Georgian nationals accused of a brazen theft in which $42,000 worth of gold was stolen from a 75-year-old woman in a Hargeisa market. The case, supported by CCTV evidence and immigration records, has sparked outrage and raised serious security concerns.
The victim, a grandmother reported to have invested a significant portion of her life savings in the gold, lost nearly her entire financial security in the incident. The theft of 340 grams of gold has sent shockwaves through the local trading community, where gold is a common store of wealth.
Clear surveillance footage captured the alleged theft. According to sources, the video evidence unmistakably identifies the two individuals removing the gold from the elderly woman. Authorities confirmed the suspects’ nationalities by cross-referencing the footage with passport and immigration data.
Investigators report that the suspects fled Hargeisa immediately after the incident, boarding a flight to Dubai. The rapid nature of their departure suggests a planned escape from local jurisdiction, though it is not yet known if the theft itself was premeditated.
The loss is catastrophic for the victim. In Somaliland, gold often functions as a primary savings mechanism and a hedge against economic instability, making this theft a severe personal and financial blow.
In response, vendors from Gobonimo Market—a central hub for gold and jewelry—are urging authorities to enhance security measures. They cite increasing thefts in crowded areas and are calling for improved surveillance, better stall security, and more frequent police patrols.
Somaliland officials now confront the complex challenge of recovering the stolen assets and seeking justice. The suspects’ flight to Dubai introduces diplomatic hurdles, as any potential extradition or legal cooperation with the United Arab Emirates will depend on international treaties and the formal presentation of evidence
