MOGADISHU, Somalia, 31 December 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), while welcomes the release of two broadcast journalists: Mahad Ahmed Alasow in Jowhar and Farah Mohamed Khalif in Garowe, expresses its concern about the continued arbitrary detention of freelance journalist, Kilwe Adan in Garowe since Sunday night 27 December by Puntland authorities.
In the evening of Sunday 27 December, Hirshabelle police detained Mahad Ahmed Alasow, who simultaneously reports for Goobjoog TV and Radio Jowhar in Jowhar over a Facebook post about protestors injured after police used live bullets during the Sunday 27 December violent opposition protests in Beledweyne town. He was released on Thursday 31 December without charge after four days in police custody.
On 27 December, Puntland police detained Horn Cable TV reporter, Farah Mohamed Khalif and freelancer Kilwe Adan who reports for Kilwe Media Inc, a Facebook-based news page in Garowe, the capital of Puntland over their coverage during 26 December protest against high inflation rates in Puntland.
While Farah was freed on the afternoon of Tuesday 29 December without charges, Kilwe remains detained in unknown location since Sunday night when police took him from Garowe city centre, according to colleagues and family members who spoke to SJS.
“We are relieved to hear the news of the release of journalists, Mahad Ahmed Alasow and Farah Mohamed Khalif. We are extremely concerned by the continued detention of journalist Kilwe Adan in undisclosed location in Garowe. We call for Puntland authorities to immediately free him,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said.
“Authorities in Puntland and Hirshabelle should stop the threats and intimidations against local journalists who have covered protests critical to the authorities. Journalists should not be targeted for doing their job to inform the public,” Mr. Mumin adds.