Somaliland government releases MP, after 37 days in detention

Hargeisa, June 17, (Somaliland.com):- Somaliland government has freed today a member of parliament, Mr Mohamed Ahmed Dhakool, who has been in detention for over a month.

The MP was arrested for opposing the commemoration of 18th  May as the National Independence Day, on May 9, 2019. Mr. Dhakool claimed that May 18 is not an independence day and its history did not belong to all Somalilanders.

Hargeisa regional court refused to take the case against an MP with his immunity. This came after the permanent committee of the Somaliland House of Representatives refuted the request from the Attorney General for the removal of immunity from the arrested parliamentarian.

After 37 days behind bars, the lawmaker is released without any official statement from the government, parliament, courts and the prosecutors. Some reports say the MP is requested to apologize for his speech but declined to do so.

Reports say that the release of the lawmaker from jail follows after his clan apologized for his speech.