Hizbul Islam leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has denied that his group had any involvement in the killing of Sheikh Abdulkadir Nur Farah last week, Somalia's Garowe Online reported Monday (February 18th).

"We decided to deny any responsibility in Sheikh Abdulkadir's killing," Aweys said on Somalia Channel. Aweys expressed his condolences to the deceased cleric's family.

Three people have been arrested in connection with Farah's assassination.

When asked whether al-Shabaab cells could have been involved in the murder, Aweys said he could not say. Al-Shabaab has not commented on the assassination.