JIGJIGA (Halbeeg News) – A former head of Jigjiga Central Jail appeared before a court on Monday, barely a week after he was arrested in Jigjiga, the capital city of Somali Regional State (SRS).
Shamahiye Sheikh Farah, a former colonel in the controversial SRS paramilitary unit, Liyu Police faces charges of human rights abuses.
He was the head of the Jail for one year, in 2014, then became regional Prison commissioner in 2015 during the reign of the ousted leader of the state, Abdi Mohamud Omar.
As prison head, he was responsible for the conduct of prison guards who reported to have committed crimes against humanity.
He is also one of six former officials implicated in gross rights abuses in the Jijiga Central prison located in, Jijiga.
Human Rights Watch, HRW, listed him among others the worst senior offenders in it is report this year.
Prior to the controlling of the Jail, he was the head of Abdi Omar’s, personal security team.
Authorities in the state recently announced the closure of the facility adding that it was to be turned into a museum.
The former leader of the state, Abdi Omar who is currently in federal custody is also facing criminal charges after he was deposed.
The new leader, Mustafa Omar, a well-known human rights activist has since replaced the head of the Liyu police and promised wide-ranging rights reforms in a state that was ruled for years by Abdi Mohamud.
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