Puntland President pardons journalist after 3 months in jail

During his time in jail, the charges against him were changed repeatedly as a military court sentenced him to three years in prison last week, withdrawing the previous 3-month verdict.

News Keydmedia Online
22 March 2021

GAROWE, Somalia - Puntland state announced it has releases Kilwe Aden Farah, a freelance journalist jailed for nearly 30 months of imprisonment that caused an outcry.

The release of the journalist came after he was pardoned by the state leader Said Abdullahi Deni, according to a presidential decree posted on the Puntland state house Facebook page on Monday.

Kilwe has been detained by security forces in Garowe last December for covering demonstrations against the government’s failure to handle high inflation and currency devaluation in Puntland.

A military court has slapped him with a three-month prison term following 81 days behind bars without charges brought against him, in what local media watchdog said is contrary to the state constitution.

During his time in jail, the charges against him were changed repeatedly as a military court sentenced him to three years in prison last week, withdrawing the previous 3-month verdict.

The military court sentenced Kilwe to three years after being convicted on charges of attempting to undermine state security, an accusation that media watchdogs denied.

The Horn of Africa nation is categorized as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, as they face threats, murder, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests.

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