HARGEISA (SD) – Hargeisa regional Court of Appeals today released Aare Suleiman Awleed, a citizen of Djibouti, who was in prison for 2 months and 19 days because for criticizing the President of Djibouti.

Awleed, a citizen of Djibouti who lived in Gabilay in Somaliland for a while, regained his freedom after the court acquitted him of any crime.

Awleed, a famous Tik Toker who is very critical of the administration of the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, was arrested on May 20 this year, after being accused of insulting the president of Djibouti.

Human rights groups said at the time that the arrest was illegal, and urged the government to respect Aare’s rights to freedom of expression, despite his citizenship.

Awleed, have been living in Gabilay for some time, since he is afraid of being arrested.

President Bihi’s government has previously handed over citizens of Djibouti and Somaliland to Ismail Omar Guelleh’s government several times.