Somaliland’s Ministry of Health has rubbished reports that Abdimalik Muse Oldon, a journalist who has been imprisoned since last year, has contracted COVID-19.
Earlier, the family of the jailed journalist had issued statements saying that Oldon is not only ill but also showing signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19.
The denial also comes in the wake of “deep concerns” that the Wadani Party expressed about the “deteriorating health” of the jailed journalist.
Dr. Mohamed Hergeye, the Director General in the Ministry of Health, repudiated the accusations leveled by the politicians and the journalist’s family against the government.
Dr. Hergeye said the journalist had indeed been tested for COVID-19. He also confirmed that the tests turned out negative.
Additionally, the government has promised to carry out more tests to authenticate the results of the first test.
Previously, Amnesty International had pointed out the COVID-19 risks to which Oldon is exposed while in prison.