MOGADISHU, Somalia 13 October 2022 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Somali Media Association (SOMA) and Somalia Mechanism for Safety of Journalists (SMSJ condemn the continued detention by the Somali government to the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) Abdalle Ahmed Mumin in Mogadishu.
On Thursday morning, 13 October 2022 Somalia’s Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) transferred Abdalle Ahmed Mumin to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where he is currently held. Around 11:00am CID officials escorted him to the Benadir regional court, where he appeared before a judge.
The Lawyers representing SJS Secretary General Abdalle Ahmed Mumin said that there are no official charges against him now, but is accused of opposing Ministry of Information’s directive and spreading secret video – referring to the raid of the SJS offices, where the CCTV footage captured NISA members trying to gain access to SJS’s offices. The lawyers said that Abdalle’s case will be heard on Sunday.
Somali Media Association (SOMA), Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somalia Mechanism for Safety of Journalists (SMSJ are concerned about the continued detention of our colleague Abdalle and attempts by the government to criminalize freedom of expression.
“We are also concerned that Abdalle Ahmed Mumin developed health complication during his detention. He should be allowed to have access to medical doctor of his choice.” The group said “We call on the concerned authorities to stop harassing the media advocate and to release him immediately without conditions.”.