Court in Jigjiga Jails Social Media User Over ‘Criticism’ of Regional Gov’t

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NEWS|MOGADISHU: A court in Jigjiga has sentenced a social media user to one and a half years over allegations that he criticised the regional government.

The court sentenced Abdi Barud after it found him guilty of social media posts that were reportedly critical of the Somali regional government in Ethiopia headed by President Mustaf Cagjar.

In his defense, Barud said the posts were not intended at the regional government but rather about the general situation in the state.

The sentencing of Barud comes amid warnings by Cagjar against social media users of legal action against social media users who criticize the government.

The verdict has sparked widespread criticism, especially on social media.