The two men were released from Hargeisa Central Prison after spending approximately 75 days in custody without a final prosecution case being presented before the court.
Hargeisa (SLpost)- Somaliland journalist Abdiqani Hussein Abokor, widely known as Abdiqani Baylood, and poet Ismail Yusuf Abdi, popularly known as Jiheeye, have regained their freedom after spending approximately 75 days in detention at Hargeisa Central Prison.
The two men were released on bail on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, following a decision by Chief Justice Aden Haji Ali, President of the Supreme Court of Somaliland and Chairman of the Judicial Commission. The criminal case against them is expected to continue, with both defendants now allowed to remain outside prison while the proceedings move forward.
Their release brings an end to more than two months of detention that had attracted considerable public attention and raised questions about the handling of their case, particularly the repeated delays in bringing the prosecution’s case before the court.
Repeated court delays and failure to complete the prosecution case
The release follows several unsuccessful attempts to proceed with the hearing of the case.
On Saturday, the two defendants were brought before the court for the fifth time in an attempt to hear the charges against them. However, the hearing was once again postponed after the National Prosecution Office reportedly failed to present the completed prosecution case and the necessary legal documentation.
According to information provided by those familiar with the proceedings, the court had repeatedly returned the case because the prosecution had not completed the required legal process.
Despite being brought before the court on several occasions, the two men remained in detention while awaiting the formal presentation of the case against them.
The repeated postponements prolonged their imprisonment and raised concerns about the length of pre-trial detention and the timely administration of justice.
Their eventual release on bail means that they will be able to defend themselves against the allegations without remaining in prison as the legal proceedings continue.
Traditional leaders and lawyer welcome the release
Following the announcement of their release, traditional leaders and the lawyer representing the two defendants addressed journalists outside Hargeisa Central Prison.
They expressed appreciation to Chief Justice Aden Haji Ali, acknowledging his decision to grant bail and allow the two men to regain their freedom while their case remains before the courts.
The lawyer and traditional representatives welcomed the development, describing it as an important step towards resolving the situation after the prolonged detention.
They also expressed gratitude to everyone who had contributed to securing the release of the journalist and the poet.
Speaking to members of the media after regaining their freedom, Abdiqani Baylood and poet Jiheeye expressed gratitude to individuals, organisations and members of the public who had supported them throughout their detention.
They acknowledged the efforts of those who had advocated for their release and followed developments surrounding their case.
Their statements came shortly after leaving Hargeisa Central Prison, bringing an end to a period of uncertainty for their families and supporters.
Although their release on bail does not bring the legal proceedings to an end, it allows them to continue facing the case outside prison.
Background: A case that attracted national and international attention
The case began in August 2026 when journalist Abdiqani Baylood conducted an interview with poet Ismail Yusuf Abdi Jiheeye, during which the poet raised allegations concerning a land dispute involving property near the residence of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) in Hargeisa.
During the interview, Jiheeye claimed that land belonging to him had been taken and expressed his grievances through a poem. These allegations were made by the poet and have not been independently established as facts.
Following the publication of the interview, Jiheeye was detained, and Baylood was subsequently summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Hargeisa. Both were eventually transferred to Hargeisa Central Prison.
Their detention attracted criticism from journalists’ organisations, opposition politicians and other public figures, who called for respect for freedom of expression, due process and the rights of individuals facing criminal proceedings.
The Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) expressed concern over Baylood’s detention and called on the authorities to ensure that his case was handled through a fair and transparent legal process.
The case also attracted international attention, with the British Office in Hargeisa raising concerns about the increasing number of journalists detained in Somaliland and emphasising the importance of independent journalism and freedom of expression.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also criticised Baylood’s detention and called for his release.
Political leaders from the ruling Waddani Party and opposition parties, including Kulmiye and KAAH, also raised concerns about the implications of the case for freedom of expression and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights.
Legal proceedings expected to continue
While the release of Baylood and Jiheeye represents a significant development in the case, the legal proceedings have not concluded.
The two defendants are expected to remain outside prison on bail as the prosecution continues its case before the court.
The next stage will depend on the National Prosecution Office completing and presenting the necessary case documentation and the court proceeding with the hearings.
The development also places renewed attention on the importance of timely judicial proceedings, the right to a fair trial and the principle that individuals should not face unnecessarily prolonged detention while awaiting the completion of legal procedures.
For now, the journalist and the poet have regained their freedom after approximately 75 days behind bars, while the case against them remains unresolved.
