Puntland’s President Said Abdullahi Deni has pardoned a local journalist who was serving a 3-year jail sentence.
Deni issued a presidential decree that set journalist Kilwe Adan Farah free on March 22, 2021.
Kilwe’s arrest has been the subject of much debate and criticism by his colleagues, human rights activists, and leaders.
He was arrested on December 2020 for a report that seemed critical of Deni.
The “crime” that landed him in hot waters with local authorities was his coverage of anti-inflation protests held in Garowe, the region’s capital, towards the end of 2020.
Kilwe had been in prison for 84 days.
Initially, the court had sentenced him to serve three months in jail before changing that to three years.
Immediately after his release, Kilwe expressed his gratitude to Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) for working overtime to see him free.
He also cited the role played by his lawyers, Avv Mustafe Mohamed Jama and Michael Polak, which ensures that he enjoys his freedom once more.