Somaliland – The self-declared republic of Somaliland has freed controversial Somali journalist Abdimalik Muse Oldon following a presidential amnesty.
Oldon has been behind bars for over 13 months. He was found guilty of defamation and spreading false news by a court in Hargeisa in July 2019 and sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
Oldon has repeatedly denied all the charges and his lawyers called the judgement an injustice.
Somaliland President Muse Abdil on Saturday ordered for his release following pressure from opposition leaders and human rights groups.
Talking to media, Oldon said he was released after representatives of political parties spoke to Somaliland president. He said he was treated well while in prison but had become ill.
Since Somalias civil war and the collapse of government in 1991, Somaliland has been a self-declared independent state and has its own government. However, it is not officially recognised by the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) or any country.
