Jigjiga(SD)-Former Somali regional president Abdi Mohamud Omar, who has been facing charges, has pleaded not guilty and should be released.

The former president of the region has been blamed for the violence that has killed at least 58 people in Jigjiga town of the Somali regional state.

“During my tenure I have been managing the local government well, and I have not committed any crime,” said Abdi Mohamud Omar.

Abdi Mohamud Omar requested that he should be freed as there is no clear criminal act that he committed while he was leading the Somali regional Government in Ethiopia.

Abdi Mohamud Omar has appeared several times before the Ethiopian Federal Court and so far no judgment has been rendered.