Somaliland frees prominent journalist after presidential pardon

The self-declared republic of Somaliland has freed controversial Somali journalist Abdimalik Muse Oldon following a presidential amnesty.

Mr Oldon had been behind bars for more than 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 half years in prison.

He has repeatedly denied all the charges and his lawyers termed the judgement as injustice.

Somaliland president Muse Bihi Abdi had ordered for his release following pressure from opposition leaders and human rights groups.