The former president of Somalia region, Abdi Mohamoud Omar, commonly known as ‘Abdi Iley’, was released from prison, his lawyer said. Abdi Iley was arrested in August 2018 in Addis Ababa, shortly after stepping down as the region’s president, and accused of inciting violence in his volatile region. He was freed on Thursday after the prosecution dropped the charges, confirmed his lawyer, Eskinder Gezahegn. Abdi Iley, who held authority over the Somali region for years before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power, has been implicated in numerous human rights violations, instances of violence, and mismanagement of state resources in the region. He allegedly commanded his special paramilitary Leyu forces to engage in acts of kidnapping, torture, and sexual abuse against political rivals and critics.

Source: Ethiopian News March 14, 2024 22:50 UTC