SomaliNet) A court in Djibouti has sentenced a human rights activist to serve six months in jail for defaming a presidential guard. Jean Paul Noel Abdi, who heads Djibouti League of Human Rights, was also fined $360 for accusing the soldier of rape.

The court said Mr. Abdi lacked evidence linking President Ismail Omar Guelleh's private guard to the incident.

The Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) said the conviction was unfair and demanded for the immediate release of the activist.

“We feel that these were trumped up charges against Mr. Abdi because he has been vocal against human rights violations in Djibouti,” Mr. Geel said

Mr. Abdi, who is also Amnesty International's local representative, has 10 days to appeal against the sentence.—BBC