Her legal representatives were present when the judge announced the verdict.

The journalist’s ordeal began when she was arrested on May 15, 2023, sparking widespread outcry and allegations that Mohamed Muse Bihi, the son of President Muse Bihi, played a pivotal role in her detention.

After a series of delays and adjournments, the court finally delivered its decision today, marking the culmination of a protracted legal process. This comes on the heels of the latest postponement last Saturday.

The court’s ruling stipulates that the one-year sentence may potentially be commuted through a financial arrangement, taking into account the duration of her current imprisonment. The recalculated timeframe suggests that roughly six months remain, which could be converted into a financial payment to secure her release.

This announcement arrives at a crucial juncture, coinciding with the impending gathering of Somaliland’s ruling Kulmiye party scheduled for August 20th in Buro town. It has been reported that clan elders and youth from Buro have exerted pressure, insisting that the meeting be boycotted until Busharo’s detention comes to an end.

In a peculiar turn of events, Busharo’s defense lawyers emphasized that despite the absence of substantial evidence or findings of wrongdoing, the presiding judge felt compelled to impose the one-year jail sentence.

The prosecution’s case against Busharo revolves around charges of disseminating information against the Somaliland military and offering critical commentary on Somaliland’s judiciary.

The Somali Journalists Syndicate has castigated this verdict as a politically-motivated move aimed at salvaging the reputation of Somaliland authorities, who have faced backlash since Busharo’s arrest.