Somalia Defends Referee Omar Artan After U.S. Terrorism Allegations
MOGADISHU, June 13 – Somalia’s federal government moved on Saturday to firmly rebut U.S. allegations involving Somali referee Omar Artan, saying there is no evidence linking him to terrorism or any extremist network.
Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said the state was standing unequivocally behind Artan, rejecting claims that he had any association with Al-Shabaab or any other militant group.
"The Somali government confirms that Omar Artan has no connection whatsoever with terrorism," Fiqi told reporters in Mogadishu. "It…