Release Oldon immediately, Amnesty urges Somaliland

Amnesty International has demanded the release of freelance journalist Abdimalik Oldon who is currently serving a three-year jail term in Somaliland.

Amnesty said Friday Oldon had suffered the excesses of state oppression noting his arrest and detention was a violation of Somaliland constitution and the journalist’s rights to freedom of expression. April 17 marks one year since Oldon was arrested and subsequently charged for “spreading anti-national propaganda” and “disseminating false news”.

“Amnesty International is calling on the Somaliland authorities to immediately and unconditionally release detained journalist Abdimalik Muse Oldon who was arrested and arbitrarily detained a year ago today for exercising his right to freedom of expression,” a statement from the rights group Friday said.

Noting that Somaliland president had released 574 prisoners April 1, Amnesty said Oldon, ‘who should never have been detained in the first place’ should also be relased adding it was concerned that the journalist was facing heightened risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oldon was charged on June 6, 2019, by Maroodi Jex regional court in Hargeisa and the ruling upheld by the appeals court September 29.

Amnesty’s calls come amid increasing pressure on Somaliland and Somalia authorities to free journalists held in detention centres for freedom of expression related cases. Goobjoog Media Group Deputy Editor Abdiaziz Gurbiye has for the last three days been in detention in Mogadishu.

The regional court ordered Gurbiye’s detention Wednesday for an indefinite period of time. It is no clear when the case will come for mention.